User blog comment:Janus100/Final Conclave/@comment-73.25.69.82-20170429233428/@comment-27794543-20170429235147

A lot of the champions look bigger and stronger than Octavia. Also, consider the timeline: before seven months ago, Octavia had spent her entire life hiding under the floor or in a jail cell – neither environments conducive to exercise. She didn't start learning to fight until after a month on the ground - so less than six months training total. She's fighting against men and women who've exercised their entire lives, dedicated years to learning fighting skills, and have more combat experience than her.

Reality says she'd be the worse fighter in the group. But we don't watch TV for reality, so Octavia becomes the Skairipa.