This has a gnawed at me since last year's JO's and I'm wondering if there was something we could have done...

an blue belt elite division with 6 competitors was sent to our ring.

First match, player A wins as player B turns out to be a no-show.  Player C wins over D in overtime in the other match.

Next round, player A moves up the preset bracket for a match with player E who had a bye in round 1.  Turns out player E is a no show also.  Player C wins over player F who withdraws with injury (I think 2nd round)

Round 3 is final round, player A is now matched with player C, who decides to withdraw due to injury.

Now we have player A winning gold without ever actually having a single fight, and 2nd goes to player C. One of  3rd places goes to player F, and the other 3rd goes to player E (one of the no-shows). And player D who lost in the first round has no medal.

When the players were sent to the ring, they new player B and E were no-shows, but we were told to run the bracket as it was laid out.

I know this wasn't a set of matches for a team position, etc, but I don't think the results were fair, either.

Is there something we could or should have done, or is one of those times when luck wins out over skill?Interested in hearing what you have to say.

Thanks and have a great day!

Alice