PE Teacher Spotted 'Clear-Mindedness' in Matt Weston's Eyes Before Historic Gold
The former rugby player turned skeleton star, Matt Weston, alongside teammate Tabitha Stoecker, secured a gold medal in the mixed team skeleton competition on Sunday, following Weston's individual gold in the men's event just two days prior. This remarkable achievement has cemented Weston as the first British athlete ever to win multiple medals at a single Winter Olympics.
Historic Winter Olympics Performance for Great Britain
Great Britain had never before won more than one gold medal at any Winter Olympics. With Weston's victories, the nation celebrated three gold medals within an astonishing 48-hour period, marking a unprecedented milestone in British winter sports history.
Teacher's Insight into Weston's Mental Fortitude
Watching from his home, Justin Singleton, Weston's former PE teacher and head of sport at Bennett Memorial Diocesan School in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, described the intense pressure of the moment. "I was questioning how on earth he was going to cope with this pressure," Singleton admitted, reflecting on the possibility of Weston securing a second medal in Milano Cortina, Italy.
"And I just saw him at the start and I could see that sort of just clear-mindedness in his eyes," Singleton recalled. "I thought, 'He's got this. You know what? I think he's actually got this.'" The teacher emphasized the nail-biting tension throughout the race, cheering internally, "Come on, lad, you got this, you got this all the way through."
The Calm Under Pressure
Singleton highlighted the immense challenge Weston faced, having to go last and deliver the fastest time on the course without errors. "That takes you to that next level," he said. "He's got to have been sublimely calm to actually have kept the focus, to have kept all that training that they do. This is this bend, this is that bend and that all that mental rehearsal that they do." He added that his heart rate had yet to return to normal after the thrilling win.
Weston's Athletic Background and Traits
Describing Weston as a former rugby fullback and winger who also practiced taekwondo, Singleton noted his student was "lively" at school, displaying speed, fearlessness, and bravery. "Like the best rugby players, he can think," Singleton remarked, explaining this cognitive ability allowed Weston to perform in unexpected ways that outmaneuvered opponents.
The teacher shared anecdotes of Weston's resilience, including multiple injuries from going "against players twice his size." He recalled a time when Weston used a wheelchair after hurting his back in international taekwondo competition, yet remained "happy as Larry" and even sped around school in it, prompting warnings from teachers about further back damage.
The Mental Edge in Elite Sports
Singleton contrasted Weston with other athletes he has taught, stating, "The difference between the ones that are really good at the sport and the ones that are absolutely amazing is all that mental approach, that mental attitude, and obviously for him now it's calmness." He attributed Weston's success to a combination of speed, strength, reactions, and fearlessness, calling it "the ultimate combination for a skeleton event."
Discovery of Skeleton Talent
Weston's potential was identified in 2017 by staff at a UK Sport Discover Your Gold talent spotting scheme. "They turned around and said, 'Have you ever thought about skeleton?' And I think his initial reaction was no," Singleton recounted. After further tests and a training weekend, Weston took to the sport naturally, with Singleton noting, "He's like a duck to water."
Personal Connection and Future Plans
Having taught Weston from ages 11 to 16, Singleton sent a congratulatory text message after the latest gold, saying, "We'll catch up when you're home." This personal touch underscores the enduring bond between teacher and student, highlighting the supportive role educators play in nurturing athletic excellence.
