I have taken psychology at University but that does not make me an expert.  I am a competitive swimmer (varsity level) and I have coached a swim club.  This gives me an insights into what it takes to win in competitive sports. 

At the level the top atheletes compete in such as the Olympics, World Chamionships etc...  the atheltes are essentially at the same level of physical competence, fitness and talent.  While there are exceptions, such as Alex Bauman (200 IM and 400 IM world record holder), Salinokov (1,500m world record holder), and the aussie kid (whose name escape me right now), most of the swimmers are at the same level.  The men I have mentioned, however, are in a different league all by themselves.  What make them so different?

Valdimir Salinokov is the first person to go under 15 minutes for the 1,500m free.  For 3 Olympics, he would lead the field of world class swimmer by at least a full length of the 50m pool at the end of the race.  His coach said that Salinokov feels no pain - I believe that much like Lance Armstrong.  But once the 15 minute barrier has been broken, more swimmers began to go under the barrier.

While Salinokov and Armstrong are in a league of their own, most Interntional swimmers are at the same level.  The only thing that diffentiates them is their mental attitude - a desire to be the best. 

The funniest story on the psychology of winning was by Don Schollander, US world record holder of the 400m free in the 60s.  At one meet with his nemesis in the lane next to him, Don purposely false started and dove into his opponents swimming lane.  As he got out of the pool, he said to his opponent "Have a good swim.  I just pissed in your lane."  Don won that race as his opponent no doubt taught about what Schollaner said and that was the diffence between winning and loosing.

I bring all of this back to gaming and what it takes to win.  I did played the guy whom I destroyed convincingly last week on a 4 to 1 ratio.  The table turned last Friday and this time I lost badly - not because I was bad but because I was not focused on winning.  After a 5 to 0 rubbing, anger was a motivator to focus, which turned the tide.  I did note I had the fastest lap times but I still lost because I was not consistent. 

Gaming is not just a source of entertainment and mental excercise.  With out moving (except for my hands and fingers), my heart rate when I am gaming can reach 190 bpm.  I can sweat just from an intense gaming session.   For the winners, they would have exhibited control over the game, consistency, and creativeness.  One definition of "Intelligence" is the presence of "discipline" and "creativeness."  Discipline is the ability to learn and master the subject matter.  Creativeness is the ability to dynamically adapt changes in the environment to your advantages.  I have seen this in the World Champions in WarCraft.  Ultimately, gaming is a way we define our own abilities and limitations at the same time having fun at it.