Parker's second chance at Glasgow
For four years, wrestler Shane Parker has been thinking about the Commonwealth Games medal that got away.
He was competing in the knock-out stages of Delhi's Greco-Roman division, up against a Pakistani opponent.
But while Parker was leading on points, a few over-eager moves cost him and the match was lost.
His rival went on to win silver in the Greco-Roman competition and gold in the freestyle.
"The last four years, I've thought about that," Parker told AAP.
"My ability was good enough to keep up with him.
"I should have had that match won."
Come July, Parker will have his shot at redemption.
He is one of nine wrestlers named in Australia's Glasgow wrestling team on Friday - a sequel to his 2010 appearance as the first indigenous wrestler to represent his country at the Games.
This time, he says he'll be a serious contender because he's matured over the past four years.
"The first one, I was a bit young and naive," he explains.
Much like his thwarted medal chance in Delhi, Parker battled through a trying experience en route to Commonwealth Games qualification.
At the national championships earlier in the year, the 57kg competitor pulled off a surprise win against Farzad Tarash.
And he did it with a broken jaw.
He says this year's team has a realistic chance of besting Delhi's haul, in which Australia took home three medals.
In particular, the 26-year-old rates wrestling wunderkind Jayden Lawrence (74kg) as a firm medal chance.
The youngest male member of the team, Lawrence plans to compete in Croatia after the Glasgow contest winds up.
For Parker, something else awaits.
"I'm going to start pursuing UFC after competing at Commonwealth Games," he says.
"It is kicking off a bit in Australia."
The Games' wrestling competition will take place from July 29-31.
Australia: Men: Shane Parker (57kg), Deon Stewart (61kg), Mehrdad Tarash (65kg), Jayden Lawrence (74kg), Ali Abdo (86kg), Gene Kapaufs (97kg). Women: Rupinder Kaul (53kg), Carissa Holland (53kg), Stevie Grace Kelly (63kg)
