Sherry inspired by modern pentathlon disappointment

Sportsbeat's Josh Burrows and Matt Sherry are competing against each other in every Olympic sport between now and London 2012 - and the first challenge is over.

 

WAKE UP CALL: Unlikely Lad Matt Cherry (l) admits modern pentathlon disappointment has inspired him to greater things

By Matt Sherry, Sportsbeat

I've had the wake-up call I so desperately needed.

It may be an over-used cliche, but in this case, oh so true.

My recent performance at the Bath5 club was embarrassing, bordering on soul destroying.

Imagine using half of the little energy you have left to smile at a bloke, getting on for three times your age, completing a run that you pulled out of halfway through. Well, I don't have to.

An 18-year-old, who should be in the prime of his life, being shown up by someone his dad's age - it is pretty shocking.

Compare that then to a pentathlete. They're incredible, and that's an understatement.

Imagine an athlete, capable of holding their own in an Olympic fencing squad, in the arena with the eventing team, in the field with the marksman, in the pool with the swimmers and round the track with the long distance runners.

And they aren't just half-decent at each sport - they're bloody good. Kate didn't win the National Fencing Championship in 2005 for no reason.

Are you starting to understand? Perhaps you have to see it. You have to see a left-handed woman pick up a right-handed air pistol and hit an 11.5cm target five times in under 40 seconds.

And then listen to her tell you: "It's only the third time I've ever done it like that. During the Olympics we had 40 seconds to fire each shot."

The only saving grace for me was my admirable performance in fencing. It was certainly a lot better than anyone could have expected after watching me put my mask on the wrong way round.

Granted, Burrows beat me in our mini-duel. But even Kate admitted his extra reach gave him a considerable advantage, especially in the confidence stakes.

"In modern pentathlon you've got to learn the skills so quickly. The more confident you are, the quicker you learn the skill," she explained.

Also, the first 100m of our swim saw me build a sizeable lead, lost only due to my shambolic stamina.

Thankfully, this wasn't our actual modern pentathlon event. That won't be for a while, as we both need riding certificates to compete in one. Considering our lack of experience and my allergy problems, that could take a while.