I don't see having a chip on one's shoulder as something helpful... Infact, most times it can hinder and make someone lose focus because they have such a grudge against this person or that person that they overwork themselves, instead of just being focus (which can be done with or without the grudge). One can be determined to prove people wrong about their skill level or winning a tourney (or placing high), but that doesn't have to involve grudges of any kind... And in some cases, having a chip on one's shoulder could lead to cockiness which could also result in laxation depending on the person (Michael Jordan was so cocky at one point in his career he didn't think he could get crossed up by Allen Iverson, but did -- and very badly)...
I agree with the need to travel, but why "construct skyscrapers in other countries when there's not even a hut in our own"??? What I mean is that the general consensus from what I read and hear is that when it comes to skill level and KoF in the states, we're weak overall (like you won't see us crushing dudes in Japan or Hong Kong, etc. in high level tourneys). If you're in the states, and you've got a console with KoF and some sticks (or pads) and there's someone with at least an inkling of KoF knowledge that's near other cats that are interested in the game, why not start building there??? It might take some time, but all things take time to grow (babies, level of knowledge, annuity accounts, etc). You can't expect to hop in a dojo and come out a black belt in a week. Even with high standards, a sifu will still take time to train up even the most difficult students, albeit in a strict manner, but there's still training done... Once that time and care has been put into the scene to where they're competitive, then traveling to tourneys would be cool. I mean even while the scene is being built, traveling would be good for the sheer fact that you can see how other cats play, and you can see what character is strong in that particular region - the learning experience would be beneficial... Leaving a comfort zone can be as simple as hooking up with a cat across the street to play KoF instead of on xbl/psn...