Career
His personal best for the event was 19.01 m (62 ft 41⁄4 in). Cole began competing in the shot put at an early age and took part in international competition, winning the 1981 title for England at the British International Schools Match and a bronze at the 1982 Gymnasiade behind compatriot Chris Ellis. Nationally, he rose through the ranks at the English Schools Championships, winning the under-15s title in 1979 and then the under-20 title in 1982.
He had three straight wins at the American Automobile Association Junior Outdoor Championships from 1982 to 1984, including championship records of 16.79 m (55 ft 1 in) and 16.92 m (55 ft 6 in).
He began to make his impact at the senior level in 1983, starting at the national level He third at the American Automobile Association Indoor Championships then was runner-up at the United Kingdom Championships in Athletics that year behind Nick Tabor.
He broke Winch"s six-year undefeated streak at the 1985 American Automobile Association Indoors, although his winning mark of 17.32 m (56 ft 93⁄4 in) was the shortest in fifteen years. The 1986 season was the peak of Cole"s career.
The 21-year-old had a triple victory at national level by winning the American Automobile Association Indoors in 18.48 m (60 ft 71⁄2 in), a third straight United Kingdom Championships title in 18.68 m (61 ft 31⁄4 in), and a second American Automobile Association Championships title with a lifetime best of 19.01 m (62 ft 41⁄4 in).
These marks were his best performances ever at those competitions. His personal best moved him up to fifth on the all-time United Kingdom lists behind Geoff Capes, Mike Winch, Arthur Rowe and Bill Tancred. Despite his Commonwealth title coming at such an early stage of his career, he did not compete at a high level of the sport after that.