[Stones and Stories] How to Strengthen Yourself Through Defeat

Choi Jeong, the "Go Empress," Faces Six Consecutive Defeats
Standing Before the Tunnel of Pain, Which Path Will Choi Jeong Choose?
Turning the Pain of Defeat Into Growth in Life

The position at the top comes with loneliness. Envious and jealous gazes from others are separated by a thin line. Behind the praises of glory, a dagger is hidden. It is hard to even estimate how many people wish for one's downfall. Enduring the burden pressing down on one's shoulders is no easy task. Those who must live their daily lives feeling as if they are walking on thin ice. This is the reality that those standing at the top must bear.

The problem is that eternity does not exist in the world of competition. In any field, one cannot overcome the weight of time. When time comes, humans inevitably must step down from the position at the top. It is only difficult to know when the right time to step down will be.

Professional Go player Choi Jeong, 9-dan.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Performing below expectations does not necessarily mean collapse. Some use defeat as an opportunity to strengthen themselves further. What path will the "Go Empress" Choi Jeong 9-dan take? Last month, the 10th Huanglongshi Cup World Women's Baduk (Go) Tournament held in China brought a trial to Choi Jeong. In that tournament, which determines who is the strongest female Go player, Choi Jeong was considered the top favorite to win.

However, as the matches progressed, expectations turned into disappointment. Choi Jeong suffered a shocking six consecutive losses and ended up at the bottom. Given that she has essentially dominated the world women's Go scene for the past 10 years, this result was a shock. Choi Jeong's trial cast a shadow of gloom over the Korean Go community. For Go fans, the very process of carefully reviewing the game records to understand why Choi Jeong had no choice but to lose so badly is a painful experience.

According to the Korea Baduk Association on the 17th, Choi Jeong's overall record stands at 1,133 games with 780 wins and 353 losses. Although her wins are more than twice her losses, even the great Choi Jeong has experienced defeat 353 times. Defeat is painful. Wearing a calm expression outwardly does not erase that pain. Ultimately, one must bear it themselves. No one else can cross the river of trials on one's behalf. Those who can overcome the pain of defeat and use it to strengthen themselves experience growth in life.

Korean female professional Go player Choi Jeong 9-dan Photo by Korea Baduk Association

Is that lesson applicable only in the world of Go? Everyone experiences defeat and trials in life. When faced with such situations, each person's choice differs. If one gives up their path in front of the tunnel of pain, they also lose the drive toward their dreams.

That choice may temporarily relieve one from the immediate pain, but it can remain as regret that follows throughout life. The reason regret makes life harder is because the pain comes after losing an opportunity. It is well understood that even if one regrets, they cannot turn back time.

Rather than regretting later with "I should have made this choice then," how about boldly entering the tunnel of pain that lies before you now? Reflecting on the fact that being able to make any choice at all means there is still opportunity left...