Winning is overcoming obstacles to reach a goal, but the value in winning is only as great as the value of the goal reached. Reaching the goal itself may not be as valuable as the experience that can come in making a supreme effort to overcome the obstacles involved. The process can be more rewarding than the victory itself.
This is why a loss can be more rewarding than a win. If the competitor or the wave is hard enough to take you to the next level, it’s more powerful than trophy.