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By John Goodbody
Craig Fallon knows better
than anyone that he was the leading prospect to win Britain’s
first medal at the Beijing Olympics. Fighting on the first day
of the Games, the focus was on him to get the country, and British
judo, off to a successful start, something that was only triumphantly
fulfilled the following day when Nicole Cooke won the women’s
road race. After all, he possessed an excellent pedigree, finishing
second in the 2003 world championships and first in 2005 and then
taking the European title the following year. Although he then
underwent surgery, he had promised enough in the year running
up to the Games to indicate that he must be a medal contender.
He recalls: “I felt that
I had a good chance to take a medal in the Olympics but still
feel that the way I was fighting, I wasn’t going to.” What did
he think went wrong? He is unsure but adds: “Coming in late may
have been part of it.” His flight from Macau was delayed because
of the weather and he didn’t enter the Olympic Village until 3am
on the Thursday morning, barely more than 48 hours before he was
due to compete. Craig says: “The Olympic Games only come round
once every four years and so everything should be perfect.” He
admitted to his frustration immediately after competing in Beijing,
saying:”I know when I am going full speed and it was not today.
When I woke up this morning, I was still trying to get my head
into it. Maybe it’s been the heat, but I have found my head wandering
and it was hard to concentrate.”
After the Games, he went
to Crete for a holiday to get away from the sport because, like
everyone competing at the Games, he needed a break. He is now
considering his future options and expects to make up his mind
up shortly. He explains: “I am undecided. I’m still waiting to
see what is going to happen, how things are going to work out
under Patrick Roux.” He is considering doing a full-time course
to qualify as an electrician and alternatively a part-time course,
while continuing in top-class judo. “He fought in the British
Trials in January at under 66kgs rather than his normal under
60kgs category and won convincingly. He says: “I was weighing
63.5kgs on the day and probably could still make the lighter class.
However, taking part in the under 66kgs class meant that I was
meeting some new faces. It was different.”
Not only is he uncertain
whether to continue with elite judo, he has yet to decide in which
weight category he will fight. If he does continue with his career
until 2012, he is certain of one thing. He states: “I want to
rebuild my judo and aim at a long-term programme, worrying less
about the world and European championships and instead concentre
on long-term development, something that I haven’t done for several
years. I want to start building more around my techniques and
aim at getting better movement. “However, he might still be taking
part in various events early in 2009”.
He is an enthusiastic supporter
of the centralised training system, which he partially experienced
at Bisham Abbey, where a group of talented fighters were based
earlier in this decade. He says: “I think that worked really well.
It was a good idea and really is the only way that it can be done.
Everyone is going in the same way together.” He finds difficult
in getting the right standard of practice at local level, with
some partners not having the speed, reactions and technical proficiency
that are appropriate for a competitor of his standing.
Although many celebrated
international competitors have had careers without winning an
Olympic medal, it would be disappointing for someone as talented
as Craig, who has a proven record in elite competition, not to
stamp his hallmark on the sport by finishing on the podium in
London. If he doesn’t continue at the top level, he may well regret
it in the years to come.
Craig Fallon Career Highlights
2008 Vienna
World Cup - Gold
2007 Swedish
Open - Gold
2007 Baku World
Cup - Gold
2007 GB World
Cup - Gold
2006 European
Championships - Gold
2005 World
Championships - Gold
2004 Prague
A Tournament - Gold
2003 Senior
World Championships - Silver
2003 Rome A
Tournament - Gold
2003 Paris
Super ’A’ Tournament - Gold
2003 Senior
European Championships - Silver
2002 Commonwealth
Games - Gold
2001 Junior
European Championships - Silver
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