if someone knocks you out to steal your money instead of earning it, is that merit? no.
if someone abuses a child to feel better about themselves, is that merit? no.
that's someone who is actually lowering the bar by choosing not to improve themselves but taking the easy way by bringing another down.
pure competition can mean anything and there are people who do use any means they can get away with. in these type of instances, the reasons for their actions may not motivated by their strength, it's actually their weaknesses. therefore, they are propagating them. there are many instances of that in society.
not all competition is based on merit. it can 'appear' to be.
An assault isnt a competition.