You have no control over what others do, but you do have the ability to be the best you can be in the game. It isn't easy if you have ignored your characters development for several levels, but it is worth it. Go to the Market and upgrade your characters stats. Do this until your characters stats are at their max. It's worth it. You'll be competitive against characters +/- 10 levels of your own characters level and that makes a difference on how well you can do in many contests, events, and the Tower of Fame.