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AAP
AAP
Shayne Hope

Fist-bumps on backburner as Craig heeds harsh lesson

Peyton Craig won't be celebrating prematurely if he makes the final of the men's 800m in Glasgow. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Don't expect any early fist-bumps from Australia's Peyton Craig at the Commonwealth Games.

The 21-year-old middle-distance gun has learnt his lesson.

But he did it the hard way, after a premature celebration with Bob Abdelrahim at the national championships in April cost him a spot in the 800m semi-finals.

As the pair went to make contact, a diving Degras Amekata pinched the second qualifying spot from Craig by four-hundreths of a second.

"At the time I was heated. I was pissed off for probably two days afterwards," Paris Olympian Craig recalled.

Peyton Craig
Peyton Craig had to battle from a tricky position in his heat to reach the men's 800m semi-finals. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

"Especially sitting from the sideline watching the national final knowing I could be competitive in it, but it's a lesson.

"I'm still only 21, I've got a lot of lessons to learn. I'll never do it again, that's for sure, and thankfully it didn't have too many repercussions on the rest of the season.

"Fist-bumps are put away for now. They're banned."

Craig opened his Commonwealth Games campaign in vastly different fashion with a much stronger finish at Glasgow's Scotstoun Stadium, surging home late to secure third in his 800m heat.

It was enough to qualify for the semi-finals on Friday morning (AEST) alongside fellow Australians Peter Bol and Luke Boyes.

Craig admitted he was caught slightly off-guard when England's Max Burgin set a hot pace.

The Australian got stuck mid-pack but gritted his teeth and fought his way through, later describing the run as a "rust-buster".

Peter Bol
Peter Bol will lead Australia's three-man challenge for medals in the men's 800m in Glasgow. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

"My coach Craig (Mottram) is very big on - while obviously we get out with intent - having the ability to relax and get yourself out of any situation," Craig said.

"I feel like that really helped me. I wasn't in a great spot through the bell and still not in a great spot with 200 to go.

"But it's just backing myself and backing the kick. I've always had a strong finish and I knew I just had enough to get it done, and thankfully I did."

Five-time national champion Bol qualified fastest from the four heats as he seeks to go one better than his silver medal in Birmingham four years ago.

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