Skill overcoming speed

I often remark in class that in most sports speed of movement is the most feared weapon.  For example; the football team that can move the ball with accuracy and speed around the park will inevitably out-manoeuvre their opponents easily pulling players out of position to create gaps/openings.  The boxer who can rain down a combination of punches is always going to be a dangerous opponent.
Whilst reading 'Scholar Boxer' by Marnix Wells, I came across this interesting point:

"The hands have three gates.  Wrists are first - this is the great gate.  Elbows are second - this the halfway gate.  Upper arm roots (shoulders) are third - this is the inner gate." p.88

In Tai Chi practice we look to control our opponent's arm at the wrist and elbow.  If we remain in contact at these points we can respond appropriately to our opponent. 

So if you only have contact at the wrist, the opponent can withdraw the hand at will.  Therefore fast hands will always beat slow hands.

In the Canon of Tai Chi Chuan there is reference to this as follows:

"Other schools of martial arts are so numerous
although there are external differences,
without exception they amount to nothing more
than the strong bullying the weak;
The slow surrendering to the fast;
the powerful beating those without power;
slow hands surrendering to fast hands"

So how does skill overcome speed?
It is by using a combination of well-rounded training - that increases our skill, experience, trained strength and ability to respond appropriately which will enable us to defeat the bigger, stronger or faster opponent.