Necessary mental skills for competitive athletes include focus, resilience, and motivation. Focus allows athletes to concentrate on their performance while minimizing distractions. Resilience helps them cope with setbacks, losses, or injuries, maintaining their competitive edge. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, fuels the desire to train hard and improve. Furthermore, skills like visualization and goal-setting enhance mental preparation. Athletes often employ techniques such as meditation or mindfulness to strengthen their mental fortitude, which is integral in high-pressure situations.