 Cousins claimed gold in the 2007 British Open |
Judo fighter Peter Cousins says his twin brother Thomas will inspire him through his first Olympics in Beijing. The Harlow-born fighter told BBC London 94.9: "I've always said we're two parts of one whole and without him I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be as far as I am. "His judo and fighting ability and spirit is always what I've always aspired to be." Cousins, 27, will fight without his brother who sustained a shoulder injury that doctors have been unable to cure. He will represent Great Britain in the -100kg weight category in Beijing with help from brother Thomas who now works as a coach. The 2007 British Open gold medallist took up judo at the age of five after following in his brother's footsteps. "Thomas started a couple of months before me. I tried karate first and after a couple of months of punching the air I wanted to get to grapples with other people like my twin was," Cousins added.  | It is a lonely sport when you're out there but to look across and see my twin brother is always comforting |
"He is in my eyes the best fighter I know. Unfortunately he sustained an injury that nobody could find a solution for, but he's still the only man that will drag me up and down the mat and give me a good kicking." The twins became the first brothers in history to take titles at the same European event at the Junior European Championships in 2000. Cousins, one of the seven judoka in Great Britain's Beijing squad, acknowledges the fact that there will be difficult times for his brother but knows he will be backing him throughout the games. "There's no envy. Obviously he wishes he was there and I know he's so whole heartedly happy that I'm going.
"He's 100% behind me and taking time out of his busy schedule to help me prepare. He's coming out to help me and obviously when he's there I know it's going to be difficult for him." "It is a lonely sport when you're out there but to look across and see my twin brother is always comforting. "I've always said I don't know how people survive not being twins to be honest not having that kind of support, friendship and comfort and inspiration. "That is what he mostly is, you know he makes me feel like I can do it." The Olympic hopeful has enjoyed moving up from the -90kg weight category. "I was instructed by the nutritionist to eat everything and anything. So I'm out for dinner on a regular basis with the girlfriend and I've piled on the weight." "I'm in great condition. I'm probably in the best condition I've ever been since I moved up a weight group. I feel a lot more powerful."
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