I think competition in any kind of activity like music, art, literature - anything that's not done with a timer - is actually impossible. So, in effect, what you're doing is you're entering the lottery. You're hoping that you play well (and that) you play your best on the day that you're heard, and you're hoping that the people who are judging will like what you do.
Emanuel AxPianists don't argue too much generally because we have a hard enough time just getting things right. Arguing is for string players.
Emanuel AxIf there were no rules about when to applaud, we in the audience would have the right response almost always.
Emanuel Ax