• Canada's players react after losing to Sweden on penalties during their 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match at the Globe Arena in Stockholm May 16, 2013. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWEDEN - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY)
    Canada's players react after losing to Sweden on penalties during their 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship quarter-final match at the Globe Arena in Stockholm May 16, 2013. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann (SWEDEN - Tags: SPORT ICE HOCKEY)
  • Cincinnati Reds' Shin-Soo Choo screams after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tom Mihalek / AP Photo
    Cincinnati Reds' Shin-Soo Choo screams after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies. Tom Mihalek / AP Photo
  • A Benfica fan with a mascot eagle on his shoulders reacts while watching his club play against Chelsea. Jose Manuel Ribeiro / Reuters
    A Benfica fan with a mascot eagle on his shoulders reacts while watching his club play against Chelsea. Jose Manuel Ribeiro / Reuters
  • Toronto Maple Leafs fans react to the Boston Bruins' overtime win in game 7 of their playoff game. Frank Gunn / AP Photo
    Toronto Maple Leafs fans react to the Boston Bruins' overtime win in game 7 of their playoff game. Frank Gunn / AP Photo
  • Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale cringes as referee Andre Marriner shows him a yellow card during a match against Sunderland. Dylan Martinez / Reuters
    Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale cringes as referee Andre Marriner shows him a yellow card during a match against Sunderland. Dylan Martinez / Reuters
  • Japan's Ai Fukuhara, right, cries after losing to Park Seonghye of South Korea during the Team Table Tennis Championships in Paris. Charles Platiau / Reuters
    Japan's Ai Fukuhara, right, cries after losing to Park Seonghye of South Korea during the Team Table Tennis Championships in Paris. Charles Platiau / Reuters
  • Andy Murray of Britain swings his racket in frustration during a men's singles match against Marcel Granollers. Tony Gentile / Reuters
    Andy Murray of Britain swings his racket in frustration during a men's singles match against Marcel Granollers. Tony Gentile / Reuters
  • Benfica's fans mourn the loss of the Europa League final soccer match Chelsea in downtown Lisbon. Rafael Marchante / Reuters
    Benfica's fans mourn the loss of the Europa League final soccer match Chelsea in downtown Lisbon. Rafael Marchante / Reuters
  • Benfica's Ola John lies on the grass and covers his eyes after their Europa League final soccer match defeat to Chelsea. Michael Kooren / Reuters
    Benfica's Ola John lies on the grass and covers his eyes after their Europa League final soccer match defeat to Chelsea. Michael Kooren / Reuters
  • Benfica's Ola John lies on the grass and covers his eyes after their Europa League final soccer match defeat by Chelsea at the Amsterdam Arena May 15, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Kooren (NETHERLANDS - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)
    Benfica's Ola John lies on the grass and covers his eyes after their Europa League final soccer match defeat by Chelsea at the Amsterdam Arena May 15, 2013. REUTERS/Michael Kooren (NETHERLANDS - Tags: SPORT SOCCER)

Long Shot: Agony of Defeat

RJ Mickelson

May 20, 2013

  • English
  • Arabic

In this Long Shot series, I've found athletes and fans during moments of failure and frustration. As compared with the thrill of victory, this series illustrates the disappointment, disbelief and shock associated with losing. From table tennis to professional basketball, the fatigue of failure weighs heavy on the competitive spirit.

*Edited by sport photo editor RJ Mickelson

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