Joe Fraser looks to Birmingham 2022 after final defeat
Joe Fraser was soundly beaten in the Olympic parallel bars final but promised to learn from his mistakes and come back even stronger.
The 22-year-old gymnast, who became world champion in this event two years ago, finished last in the eight-man final after losing balance halfway through his routine.
His score of 14.500 points was only 0.500 off his winning World Championship effort, but in a high-quality field he finished 1.133 off a medal.
However, Fraser is determined to hold his head up high after making the final in his first Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“It was exciting and very high-quality, so to be in that final in the first place is a great achievement in itself,” said the former Sandwell Academy pupil. “I did have a mistake in the middle which meant I was five tenths down, so I tried to repeat the skill and still wasn’t able to do it.
“Today wasn’t my day and I’m OK with that, I’ll be back in the gym trying to go better in the future.
“Being in such company, you have to go all in and that has been my motto for this trip, you have to go all in to get medals and that is what I have done today.
“Up until that point, I was very happy with my day and so I know it is heading in the right direction. I just need to fine-tune it for the future.”
Fraser is already looking forwards, with the Commonwealth Games in his home city next summer an obvious target.
Hot off the back of that is the World Championships in Liverpool two months after, as the build-up towards the next Olympics in Paris in 2024 begins in earnest. But for now Fraser can reflect on realising his dream of being an Olympian.
“It has been incredible and everything I have dreamt of since I was a little boy. To walk away as an Olympian, I am so proud of myself and everyone who has been involved in this journey,” he added.
“A big thank you to my coach, who has been with me every step of the way.
“The next few years are exciting and being from Birmingham, I am excited for next year (Commonwealth Games) and there are also a lot of other competitions coming up.
“I need to get back in the gym as soon as possible.”
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