Toe to toe....the challenge begins

By Josh Burrows, Sportsbeat

“Toe to toe,” Matt grinned at me as he sauntered into the office. To my disappointment he then sat down next to me. “Toe. To. Toe.” he repeated in broad Hartlepool. And then I remembered what he meant.

I’d had one too many drinks in the Prince of Wales the previous night, momentarily forgotten about Matt’s northern pride in his boozing ability and challenged him to a drinking competition.

‘Toe to toe’ were the words I’d used. The stupid grin plastered across his face told me that he remembered our conversation better than I did.

You see, Matt’s a natural competitor. Not necessarily a natural athlete – but certainly a natural competitor.

The problem is, I am too. And that’s why he and I are making what may yet prove to be a dangerously foolish attempt to compete against each other – ‘toe to toe’ – in every one of the 26 Olympic disciplines. 

Physically I’m almost the binary opposite of Matt. I’m tall, gangly and lightweight – both literally and metaphorically. The proverbial streak of piss. But I can guarantee that over the course of the next 1000 days, I will come out on top.

The drinking competition will have to wait.

Thankfully.