Cobra Kai: Why Miguel Was Always Going To Lose Season 4’s Tournament

Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) was never going to win the All Valley Karate Tournament in Cobra Kai season 4. As the defending champion and Eagle Fang’s top student, Miguel was one of the favorites to take home the trophy for the boys’ division. However, his decision to drop out led to Eli (Jacob Bertrand) advancing to the finals and taking down Robby (Tanner Buchanan).

Miguel made it all the way to the semifinals, but didn’t proceed any further on account of a severe back injury he received during his fight with Eli. Much to the disappointment of Johnny (William Zabka) and all the Eagle Fang students, Miguel opted against going back onto the mat. According to a letter he wrote Johnny, his reasons for not finishing the fight were related to personal issues he was dealing with. Apparently, Miguel no longer felt that he was trying to win for himself anymore. When he dropped out, Eagle Fang’s chances of winning the tournament dissipated all at once. In the end, it was Eli who won the boys’ division.

While Miguel’s injury left some wondering if things would have turned out differently if he didn’t get hurt, it’s likely that Eagle Fang still would’ve lost. Miguel was a highly trained and competent fighter, but his behavior leading up to and during the tournament foreshadowed his character falling short. Though Johnny didn’t seem to notice until it was too late, it was clear to audiences that Miguel’s heart simply wasn’t in it. He didn’t share the attitude he had in season 1 when he worked hard to win his first tournament. Losing his motivation took away Miguel’s edge, and most certainly would have cost him the tournament.

All along, Cobra Kai season 4 was setting up Robby and Eli to be the ones who made it to the finals. In contrast to Miguel, Robby and Eli had the energy and the determination required to win it all. Miguel’s skills wouldn’t have been enough for him to overcome both of them, especially since both were close –  if not equal – to his level. To take down fighters as talented as Eli and Robby, Miguel needed to be in the right place mentally and be able to give it everything he had. Because of all the doubts he was having, Miguel just wasn’t in a position to do that.

Even if he did somehow beat Eli, he would have fallen to Robby, an opponent that Miguel nearly lost to in season 1. By not seeing the All Valley Karate Tournament through to the end, Miguel inadvertently avoided the inevitable loss. But if he regains his lost enthusiasm for karate and rebuilds his damaged bond with Johnny, it’s possible that he’ll win the next competition. If that happens, Cobra Kai season 5 can redeem Eagle Fang, which finished last among the three main dojos in the tournament.

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