Don’t expect any early fist-bumps from Australia’s Peyton Craig at the Commonwealth Games.
The 21-year-old middle-distance gun has learnt his lesson.
But he did it the hard way, after a premature celebration with Bob Abdelrahimat the national championships in April cost him a spot in the 800m semifinals.
As the pair went to make contact, a diving Degras Amekata pinched the second qualifying spot from Craig by four-hundreths of a second.
“At the time I was heated. I was pissed off for probably two days afterwards,” Paris Olympian Craig recalled.
“Especially sitting from the sideline watching the national final knowing I could be competitive in it, but it’s a lesson.
“I’m still only 21, I’ve got a lot of lessons to learn. I’ll never do it again, that’s for sure, and thankfully it didn’t have too many repercussions on the rest of the season.
“Fist-bumps are put away for now. They’re banned.”
Craig opened his Commonwealth Games campaign in vastly different fashion with a much stronger finish at Scotstoun Stadium, surging home late to secure third in his 800m heat.
Craig admitted he was caught slightly off-guard when England’s Max Burgin set a hot pace.
The Australian got stuck mid-pack but gritted his teeth and fought his way through, later describing the run as a “rust-buster”.
“My coach Craig [Mottram] is very big on — while obviously we get out with intent — having the ability to relax and get yourself out of any situation,” Craig said.
“I feel like that really helped me. I wasn’t in a great spot through the bell and still not in a great spot with 200 to go.
“But it’s just backing myself and backing the kick. I’ve always had a strong finish and I knew I just had enough to get it done, and thankfully I did.”
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