🦅 A pair of wince worthy scans shared by Hayden Wilde graphically illustrate the seriousness of his training ride accident in Japan a week ago and give hint to the rehab the world No.1 faces.
The Kiwi 27-year-old took to social media overnight to provide his fans a “little update” and the diagnosis was slightly worse than even the Kiwi No.1 initially reported.
In his first post, he mentioned breaking four ribs. Turns out it was five. Plus!
Anyone who has suffered broken ribs knows it is no laughing matter but they pale in comparison to the scan of his broken scapula, so important for swimming.
“Little update. Overall, all 5 ribs + hairline for the 6th rib 🫣,” Wilde wrote on Instagram.
“Scapula [?]. Well just see photo 4 😅. And damaged lung. And a few hip stitches.”
The good news? No surgery is required on the lung so Wilde, who left his Tokyo hospital on Wednesday, has been cleared to fly to Belgium, the home country of his partner Hanne De Vet, to undergo urgently needed surgery.
“With the hard work my team has put in, I’m allowed an emergency medical flight with Dr medic assistance just in case. Back in Belgium for surgery and hopefully an operation on Sunday, maybe Monday.”
It’s important progress but even Wilde refuses to downplay the seriousness of the situation.
“Not out of the woods yet… a long travel to go,” the Andorra-based Kiwi said before paying tribute to his team behind the scenes since last Sunday’s crash; former Team NZL Dr Sam Mayhew, Tri NZ Performance Operations Manager Peter Kadar, and De Vet.
“Special mention to @sammayhew1 for flying over and taking care of the logistics medically, PK from @triathlonnz for the logistics and my internal team for all the other bits and pieces.
“Also, @redbulljapan and @asics for all the help on the ground in Japan “Last but not least to @hannedevet for flying over and keeping the vibes high xx.”
Tri NZ remains in contact with the two-time Olympic medallist and on standby to aid his recovery to full health any way it can.
Wilde had planned to race next week’s WTCS Yokohama to back up his opening round win in Abu Dhabi in mid-February but that is clearly out of question.
Knowing the racer within though, we bet he’s quietly scheming how and when he reactivates his duel WTCS and T100 title tilts in the meantime after those impressive season opening wins in Abu Dhabi and Singapore. And trying not to laugh. Those ribs…not to mention that shoulder….ouch!
