TEAM 2012: Cousins reassesses London Olympic outlook after injury

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

 JUDOKA Peter Cousins admits his recent injury nightmare has changed his outlook on the London 2012 Olympics.

BOUNCING BACK: Peter Cousins admits a long spell on the sidelines has forced him to reassess his ambitions ahead of London 2012 (Getty Images)

The 29-year-old is currently recovering after having knee reconstruction surgery to repair the two snapped ligaments he suffered in October.

Cousins has cut a frustrated figure with the lack of action ever since but won't be rushing for a return with the Games just two years away.

The former World Championship silver medallist said: "I've been injured for the last eight months - I snapped a couple of knee ligaments so I had to have knee reconstruction and it's not been a good time.

"I'm looking to get back to proper training in the next couple of months and hopefully competition by the end of the year.

"It's been driving me nuts though - I've been doing judo since I was five and I think it must be in the blood. I'm really missing fighting but hopefully not long to go now.

"I'm just trying to stay positive and remind myself how fortunate I'll be to go to London and compete at the Olympics in my home city, enjoy that and release some of the pressure and fight as hard as I can.

"When you start to think you're a medal prospect you can get a bit carried away but being injured recently has put some perspective into it and I'll be happy just to be strong and fit and get to London."

Cousins was beaten by Levan Zhorzholiani in Beijing in 2008 before spending some time on the sidelines resting.

Great Britain's desperate judo results in China, where they failed to pick-up a medal, has also seen changes to the national set-up with new head coach Patrick Roux brought in to spearhead a push for the podium in London.