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Jackson furious over KO call

Jonathan Greaney
21/ 9/2004

SIMON Jackson's dream of an unprecedented fourth Paralympic gold was shattered by a controversial decision in the preliminary round of the judo competition in Athens.

The three-times gold medalist - desperate to make up for the disappointment of slipping to the bronze position in Sydney four year ago - was left furious by the referee's call five seconds from the end of his bout against Sergiy Sydorenko in the under 73kg category.

The Ukranian was awarded a yuko, out-scoring Jackson's earlier koka, but the partially-sighted Rochdale star felt the throw was outside the competition area.

He remained at the end on the mat in the traditional judo protest. He was led off by Great Britain coach Steve Pullen, who lodged a complaint with the referee, but to no avail.

"I'm going to go and find the judge and shake his hand and check his eyesight, because I think his is worse than mine," said the bitterly disappointed 32-year-old Jackson.

"I'm devastated," said coach Pullen. "In fairness to the athletes, we do need a better system and video tape analysis.

"It is only the athletes that get hurt. For them it's not going to be over tomorrow, it's a four-year thing."

The event was finally won by China's Feng Yun Wang who beat Brazilian Eduardo Amaral in the ultimate showdown at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall.