What began as a triumphant weekend for Kiwi triathlete Hayden Wilde took an unexpected turn after a training accident left him hospitalised in Tokyo.
Fresh off a standout performance at the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race, where he clocked a blistering 27:39 over 10km, just shy of the New Zealand national record, the 27-year-old was enjoying one of his best racing weekends of the year. But less than a day later, Wilde’s momentum was halted by a serious crash during a training ride.
The accident resulted in four broken ribs, a fractured scapula, and lung injuries, requiring him to stay in Japan under medical care. Unable to fly due to the lung damage, Wilde is now focusing on recovery.
Sharing an update from his hospital bed, Wilde wrote: “It’s been a rough turn after such a great race. I’ve got four broken ribs, a broken scapula, and lung damage. ..Thankfully, I’m surrounded by an amazing medical team… I’ll keep you all posted.”
Wilde’s fans, fellow athletes, and the wider triathlon community have flooded his social media with support.
While this setback has paused his current season plans, time will soon tell if he will be on the start line in the near future. .
AloJapan.com