I wouldn't say I am a tryhard simply because I think that word is fucking stupid and one of many excuses COD players make for people doing better than them or them doing worse. It's basically like how you'll call the smartest kid in class a "nerd" but in reality being smart gives you a better chance in the real world than being a slacker. Also because if you're playing against bad players you don't really have to try anyway. People usually only associate words like "tryhard" or "killwhore" with people who get a lot of kills and/or wins. I am definitely competitive. Isnt' that part of online gaming though?
I do play to win, get a a lot of kills, laugh and joke with people I play with and have fun. There is nothing wrong with that though. The people that are annoying are those that do terrible, go negative and they always have some excuse after the game. Even if they don't try to use camper as their reason they'll find another. If you rush them relentlessly then you're "a tryhard, racial slur, faggot, overpowered gun user or no life". This as opposed to you just having a good game, better connection, better teammates, lucky spawns or JUST BEING A GOOD PLAYER.
Call of Duty games on this gen have been going on for 5 years and sure there are differences but the series is the same. Some people are going to be good, use the best guns, get 50-100+ kill games. Some people are going to go 5-20, try to quick scope, go for Gold Assault Shields and try to use pistols only. Nothing wrong with either if they're having fun although I question how people with say a w/l and kdr lower than .90 have "fun".
The only time you have an issue is if you lose sleep over the game, brag to women about your kdr, rage quit every other game, or sit at home all day playing. Otherwise it's ok to want to do well. People love saying when others aren't good but how often do they acknowledge when they are bad? Oh and even when they do, it's just a Straw Man argument like, "Well I may not be that good but that's only because I have a life and make a lot of money and my penis is huge"...