When someone goes to a tournament and they are the only person in their division, they are given a gold medal. However, when asked “How did you do at the tournament?” the answer is not so simple.
“I didn’t compete” – well, you signed up! It’s not your fault!”I got a gold” – sort of, but that sounds false!
“No one else signed up” – okay, that’s fair.
But all these take up precious seconds that could be used to practice chokes on random passersby. And it’s too easy to sound bitter or disappointed or any other weird emotion.
The “No. 1” stands for “No 1 else came”
I suggest we adopt the term “Highlander Medal.” It will be used to indicate when you are the only one who signed up or showed up in your division. There are no caveats or explanations when you are asked how you did at the tournament. “I got a Highlander Medal.” People then know a) you signed up and showed up with the intention of competing b) no other people showed up c) no other explanation is necessary!! Added bonus: it’s geeky as hell!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqcLjcSloXs]
I’ll be you’re wondering how I did in the tournament. I’m glad you asked! I got a Highlander medal for the women’s division. I hereby declare myself Queen of Grappling.
The only woman at a King of Grappling event IS the queen, right?
What do you think? Can this catch on? Have you ever earned a Highlander Medal?
This is amazing and totally needs to happen.
“If you’re not 1st you’re last” – Ricky Bobby.
I like the term “Highlander”. It means you put your neck on the line & came out on top. Just because no one was willing to challenge you for the top spot should not diminish your victory. “There can be only one”. Way to go champ!!!!
Yes! I nominate this for officialness.
When I was a kid and doing Taekwondo there would be no other girls in my division so they would have me fight the boys in “exhibition matches” and I would win and they would give us both gold medals… I used to be one pissed off little kid, lol.
I like the Highlander Medal! Good on you for training and preparing to win. Even if you didn’t have any matches to test yourself, you still put in the effort!
Love it.
I fully endorse this as long as someone has Queen’s “Princes of the Universe” playing as you receive the Highlander medal
Good for you for putting in the work and thought to prepare. I like the term, but the highlander medal also should come with a full refund of your registration fees since you didn’t go for a medal, you went for an experience. Maybe they will put more effort into recruiting if they stand to lose fees or the ability to claim that the tournament has a women’s division!
I agree that we need a term. I wasn’t a highlander viewer so the context escapes me. =/
[…] ← BJJ and Tournaments: The Highlander Medal […]
Bummer! Will you maybe need to travel to find competitors?
I like this idea. Would there be a different name for a default silver or bronze medal? I’ve gotten a couple of those. Nothing like being medalled for actually losing. ha.
I love “default silver” but if I were to change it: “rigged silver” “fixed silver” or “locked silver”.
I think this could become a thing! Congratulations on your well-earned highlander medal!
Personally I wouldnt associate highlander medal with no one showing up but rather with wiping out the competition by way of decapitation. When I see pics of people standing on the podium all alone, I always think of the ‘forever alone’ meme
I love this! I went to a Tae Kwon Do tournament once and got the Highlander medal.
Nice neologism there. I followed the pointer here from a friend’s blog.
[…] the men. Women sign up for the tournament, just like the men. If no one is there, they take their highlander medal and move along, just like the men. No prizes are received if no matches occur. No money is refunded […]