Losers on Netflix is perfect for those of you like a really good sporting documentary. It is a collection of eight stories, each focused on one sporting personality.
The idea is that instead of looking at the winners, this documentary looks at those who lost. And frankly, the stories are far more interesting because of it.
The filming of the series includes a mixture of interviews with the players as well as old footage and animated re-enactments. Overall they provide a really well-rounded version of events.
Each episode is very different. ‘Judgement' looks at Surya Bonaly. She was a French ice-skater who despite being technically one of the best in the world, never won gold in the Olympics or first place in the World Championships. The episode documents her life, her skill, determination and ability to overcome the barriers in place when she was an athlete. When being the best in a sport is arbitrary, what can you do if the judges simply don't like you?
The series also looks at the Canadian Curling legend Pat Ryan. His loss in 1985 went on to transform the sport. Unable to get over the defeat in the Brier Cup, Ryan devised a way to ensure he could ever be beaten again. That decision and the way he went on to play led to a major overhaul of the sport. All because he lost.
The Miscast Champion focuses on the boxer Michael Bentt. In what is both a tragic and inspiring story, Bentt never actually wanted to be a boxer. Forced into the sport by his father, he went on to be World Heavy Weight Champion all the while hating every minute of it. It is a remarkable story about one man's ability to come back from the brink and rise again.
Losers is a brilliant documentary series. It's honest, engaging and at times quite poignant. To work so hard and come so close but never really taste victory is devastating. Picking yourself up can be the hardest part.
But what Losers also highlights is that sometimes being beaten is actually the best thing that can happen. It's not the end of the world and the lessons that you take from it can ultimately change the course of your life for the better.
And on the other end of the spectrum is We Are The Champions, a fun show that looks at some of the world's craziest sports and competitions. Well worth a watch!
