Olympic triathlon star Hayden Wilde posts update on his injuries from horror bike crash inJapan

The 27-year-old is set to go under the knife in Belgium over the weekend
Hayden Wilde wins WTCS Abu Dhabi 2025 photo credit World Triathlon
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New Zealand triathlon superstar Hayden Wilde has provided an update on his condition following a horror bike crash in Japan earlier this week.

The Olympic silver medallist had started the season in exceptional form, winning the opening round of the World Championship Triathlon Series (WTCS) in Abu Dhabi before claiming a stunning win at T100 Singapore in early April.

Wilde also smashed his 10K personal best in the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race last weekend, a day before he was knocked off his bike causing multiple injuries.

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Wilde not out of the woods

The New Zealand sensation took to Instagram on Friday to give an update on his recovery, admitting that he will need surgery in Belgium this weekend:

“Overall, five ribs were fractured plus a hairline in a sixth rib. Also issues with the Scapula, a damaged lung and a few hip stitches.

IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship 2024 Hayden Wilde
New Zealand triathlete Hayden Wilde finishes second in the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Taupo (Photo – Fiona Goodall, Getty Images for IRONMAN).

“No surgery on the lung so I was able to leave the hospital for a few days. 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.

Hayden has a long way to go

“Not out of the woods yet a long travel to go. 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.”

Encouraging news that the Kiwi star has been able to leave Japan – it was thought due to his lung damage that a long stay in the Asian country may have been required.

Written by
Stuart Dick
Stuart is a graduate of the University of Sunderland with a masters' degree in Sports Journalism. He spends a lot of his time running and cycling around West Yorkshire, England.

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