OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Egelstaff delighted with Olympian status despite exit

By Sean-Paul Doran, Sportsbeat, London 2012

GREAT Britain’s Susan Egelstaff is hoping to enjoy the perks of being an Olympic athlete as her London 2012 dream ended against Japan’s Sayaka Sato.

KNOCKED OUT: Susan Egelstaff loses to Japan's Sayaka Sato but remains upbeat with making it to home Olympics

Egelstaff fell to a 19-21, 21-16, 21-12 defeat against world No. 12 Sato in her last group game as she exited the competition despite winning her first tie against Slovenia’s Maja Tvrdy on Saturday.

The double Commonwealth Games bronze medallist wasn’t expecting to progress from a tough group and is planning to make the most of her status as a home Olympian.

“Obviously on paper she was expected to beat me. I was pleased with how I played. The support I was getting pushed me on to play even better,” she said.

“I'm pleased I did well and now I can enjoy the rest of the Olympics. I'll not get another again so I want to make the best of it.

"I will have a little rest and will do some celeb spotting. I saw Roger Federer in the village the other day – that's the best one so far."

The Scot dispatched Tvrdy (21-15, 21-10) in front of Prince Charles at Wembley Arena on Saturday to make the tie against Sato the group decider.

After a strong start, Egelstaff took the first game 21-19, leading the interval 11-7 and holding off a late comeback from her Japanese opponent.

But Sato produced a markedly-improved performance in the second game to draw level and secure her place in the last 16, with a convincing win in the last face-off.

And while she is still considering her next move after the Games, 29-year-old Egelstaff is doubtful of her chances of making Rio 2016.

“For the last four years the only thing I've been thinking about is qualifying for the Olympic Games. It'll be nice to have a bit of a rest," she added.

“I'm a little too old for that (qualifying for Rio 2016). I'm really happy the one Olympics I'll play at is here. I've never done anything like this before.

“I'm really pleased I played well but of course I'm disappointed to lose.”

© Sportsbeat 2012