--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's only one champion. You close out…" description: "\"There's only one champion. You close out, one man will have his name as champion and one man will be second.\" — Gilbert Burns" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/gilbert-burns-6818_champion_there-s-only-one-champion-you-close-out_1239864.jpg" --- # There's only one champion. You close out, one man will… ![“There's only one champion. You close out, one man will have his name as champion and one man will be second.” quote by Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/gilbert-burns-6818_champion_there-s-only-one-champion-you-close-out_1239864.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/gilbert-burns-6818_champion_there-s-only-one-champion-you-close-out_1239864.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c79/gilbert-burns-6818_champion_there-s-only-one-champion-you-close-out_1239864.jpg) > “There's only one champion. You close out, one man will have his name as champion and one man will be second.” [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Only one champion emerges; the winner is crowned, the runner‑up remains second, highlighting the binary nature of competition. **In simple terms:** Only one champion exists; others are second. Key Takeaway Accept competition’s binary outcome. Themes competition achievement sportsmanship Mood determined serious Type sports motivational When to use this quote - sports events - career advancement - business contests Key Concepts psychology game theory Questions to Reflect On - How does focusing on winning affect teamwork? - What value lies in being second? A Different Perspective Ignores collaborative success models. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Champion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) [Man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man/) ## Related quotes > [I have always felt and said that a man who can be a champion in one era could be a champion in any other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-hogan/i-have-always-felt-and-said-that-a-man-who-can-be-a-champion-in-one/) [Ben Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-hogan/) > [“And in a very civil fashion did Manilov did so, even going as far as to address the man in the second person plural.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-gogol/and-in-a-very-civil-fashion-did-manilov-did-so-even-going-as-far-as/) [Nikolai Gogol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-gogol/) > [I have always found that the man whose second thoughts are good is worth watching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-m-barrie/i-have-always-found-that-the-man-whose-second-thoughts-are-good-is/) [James M. Barrie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-m-barrie/) > [So if you could find it in your heart to give a man a second start I promise things wont end the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-avett-brothers/so-if-you-could-find-it-in-your-heart-to-give-a-man-a-second-start-i/) [The Avett Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-avett-brothers/) > [This fathering is a man's second chance at living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelo-patri/this-fathering-is-a-man-s-second-chance-at-living/) Angelo Patri > [“Solitude is a wonderful thing in two ways. First, it allows a man to be with himself, and second, it prevents him being with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hoffman/solitude-is-a-wonderful-thing-in-two-ways-first-it-allows-a-man-to-be/) [Paul Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hoffman/) > [I'm quite obviously not the world's most handsome man - I'm the second world's most handsome man!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-williams/i-m-quite-obviously-not-the-world-s-most-handsome-man-i-m-the-second/) [Robbie Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robbie-williams/) > [It is a happy thing for us that this is really all we have to concern ourselves about--what to do next. No man can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-is-a-happy-thing-for-us-that-this-is-really-all-we-have-to-concern/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“To go wrong in one's own way is better than to go right in someone else's. In the first case you are a man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/to-go-wrong-in-one-s-own-way-is-better-than-to-go-right-in-someone/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [“Man is the second.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/man-is-the-second/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [HUSBAND, PERFECT, is, in a man's second marriage, her first mate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/husband-perfect-is-in-a-man-s-second-marriage-her-first-mate/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [That's what I want. I'm in the sport to be the best, to be the champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/that-s-what-i-want-i-m-in-the-sport-to-be-the-best-to-be-the-champion/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [That's the difference between the champion and the No. 1, No. 2 contender - the ability to make decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/that-s-the-difference-between-the-champion-and-the-no-1-no-2/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) ## More by Gilbert Burns > [Every time that I go to the sparring session and I need a good look, Kamaru was a good look for me always and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/every-time-that-i-go-to-the-sparring-session-and-i-need-a-good-look/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I'm willing to face tough competition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-m-willing-to-face-tough-competition/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I have nothing against Masvidal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-have-nothing-against-masvidal/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [You know, I've trained with a lot of great guys that have been in the sport for so long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/you-know-i-ve-trained-with-a-lot-of-great-guys-that-have-been-in-the/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I've shown that I got power, I got heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-ve-shown-that-i-got-power-i-got-heart/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I want to fight three or four times in a year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-want-to-fight-three-or-four-times-in-a-year/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [Jiu Jitsu has changed many things in my life and I really want to help build that community strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/jiu-jitsu-has-changed-many-things-in-my-life-and-i-really-want-to/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [If you want to grapple, that's my house.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/if-you-want-to-grapple-that-s-my-house/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [Signing with the UFC wasn't a dream. It's a goal. I set this goal and I reached it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/signing-with-the-ufc-wasn-t-a-dream-it-s-a-goal-i-set-this-goal-and-i/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I train with the best in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-train-with-the-best-in-the-world/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [That's the difference between the champion and the No. 1, No. 2 contender - the ability to make decisions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/that-s-the-difference-between-the-champion-and-the-no-1-no-2/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [I don't see an easy path for Jon Jones in the heavyweight division.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/i-don-t-see-an-easy-path-for-jon-jones-in-the-heavyweight-division/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [That's what I want. I'm in the sport to be the best, to be the champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/that-s-what-i-want-i-m-in-the-sport-to-be-the-best-to-be-the-champion/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [My cardio is one of the weapons I never had to use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/my-cardio-is-one-of-the-weapons-i-never-had-to-use/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) > [My submission game is always on point, it's always there. But to be a better mixed martial artist, I need to be able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-burns/my-submission-game-is-always-on-point-it-s-always-there-but-to-be-a/) [Gilbert Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) [Explore all 97 Gilbert Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-burns/) ## More Champion quotes > [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/) [Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/) > [As a child I was very involved with sports and I knew at age 9 that I wanted to be an Olympic champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marion-jones/as-a-child-i-was-very-involved-with-sports-and-i-knew-at-age-9-that-i/) [Marion Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marion-jones/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [I have to be No. 1 pound-for-pound champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/islam-makhachev/i-have-to-be-no-1-pound-for-pound-champion/) [Islam Makhachev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/islam-makhachev/) > [If I can beat a proven champion like Canelo, that will take my career to a different level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennady-golovkin/if-i-can-beat-a-proven-champion-like-canelo-that-will-take-my-career/) [Gennady Golovkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennady-golovkin/) > [I still have to unify my division and basically become the undefeated welterweight champion of the world. I can't lose. It is more added…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/errol-spence-jr/i-still-have-to-unify-my-division-and-basically-become-the-undefeated/) [Errol Spence Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/errol-spence-jr/) > [Palindrome as well. My sister's name is Hannah. Father liked word games. He was fourteen times World Scrabble Champion. When he died, we buried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/palindrome-as-well-my-sister-s-name-is-hannah-father-liked-word-games/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [ Bernie \[Ecclestone\] is the commercial rights holder so the more outgoing the champion is, the better. Of course. I also do think about our… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-ecclestone/bernie-ecclestone-is-the-commercial-rights-holder-so-the-more/) [Bernie Ecclestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-ecclestone/) > [The truth is the Vintage Vitor never left.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vitor-belfort/the-truth-is-the-vintage-vitor-never-left/) [Vitor Belfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vitor-belfort/) > [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/) [Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/) > [Winners are born, Champions are made.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-falcon-scott/winners-are-born-champions-are-made/) [Robert Falcon Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-falcon-scott/) > [It's interesting that the greatest minds of computer science, the founding fathers, like Alan Turing and Claude Shannon and Norbert Wiener, they all looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-kasparov/it-s-interesting-that-the-greatest-minds-of-computer-science-the/) [Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-kasparov/) > [To be a champion long-distance runner you have to run on the edge of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshihiko-seko/to-be-a-champion-long-distance-runner-you-have-to-run-on-the-edge-of/) Toshihiko Seko > [“There is a scene in one of the Rocky movies where after the match Apollo Creed and Rocky are waiting for the scoring of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-a-passaro/there-is-a-scene-in-one-of-the-rocky-movies-where-after-the-match/) [John A. Passaro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-a-passaro/) > [Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them-a desire, a dream, a vison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/champions-are-made-from-something-they-have-deep-inside-of-them-a/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) [Browse all 2,649 Champion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/champion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's only one champion. 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