Search
shop

Hayden Wilde issues health update and reveals horror scar after Japan bike crash

Wilde admits it 'looks like I've been eaten by a shark' following surgery after bike crash.
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Olympic triathlon silver medalist Hayden Wilde is using an oxygen tank to speed up his recovery after a horror crash left him with career-threatening injuries and an operation scar which he admits makes it look like he has been eaten by a shark. 

The 27-year-old New Zealander is facing up to the prospect of a 15-week recovery programme as he bids to make a return to racing by the end of this year.

Speaking on the first episode of his YouTube VLOG, where he intends to chart his battle back to fitness, the runner-up at last year’s Paris Games explained how the process had already begun only a few days post-surgery.

Wilde had just competed in a 10K race in Tokyo when he was hit by a truck while cycling. Unable to get the operation he needed in Japan, he was flown back to Belgium where surgeons spent five hours treating him. 

Hayden Wilde ASICS Tokyo Speed Race 2025
Hayden Wilde in action on the way to a 10k personal best 27:39 in the ASICS Tokyo Speed Race in May 2025 (Photo – Albin DURAND/ASICS Tokyo Speed Race).

Hayden Wilde rehab latest

“After an epic night and getting a 10KPB, about 12 hours later, I was involved in a bike crash with a truck, and unfortunately, put the rest of my season to a halt with a punctured lung, six broken ribs, and a pretty messed up scapula on my left side,” he said.

“We were in a bit of a situation where it was essentially a career-threatening set of injuries. I couldn’t get the surgery within two weeks in Japan, so we had to get a medical emergency flight to Belgium a week later, which was a pretty big process to go through, but thankfully, we got there in the end.

“The operation was a successful one, but obviously it was a long process, five hours of operating, and now I’m facing a 12 to 15-week rehabilitation programme. For me, it’s all very new. I’ve never had an injury like this before, so it’s a new experience for me but hopefully we can come back out of this stronger and I’m looking forward to getting this left ‘wing’ ready to go, and hopefully being on a start line by the end of the year.”

Hayden’s recovery timetable

Talking through his recovery timetable, Wilde explained that his daily stints in a hyperbaric chamber increases the levels of oxygen that the body can breathe in and speeds up the process. Although he admits it may take some time for the operation scar to heal.

“The scar looks like I’ve been eaten by a shark,” he said.

“They were meant to do a little incision just below the armpit. But when they got me flat on the bed, they decided to change the procedure because they didn’t want to damage the nerves and they opened the skin around my scapula.

“I asked the nurse if she could take a video or a photo? because I actually hadn’t seen it. When I looked at it, I was like, ‘I wasn’t expecting that!!’. 

“I’m no scientist, but I think your body only produces 70 to 75% of oxygen, but these chambers bring that level up to 95%, so the recovery rate is good. It’s my second time using oxygen therapy, so it seems to be good for scars and recovery.”

With regular physio sessions, treadmill work and even the possibility of returning to bike work in the coming days and weeks, Wilde is already well on the road to fitness, even if there is one aspect of the whole situation which is really starting to bug him.

“Certain movements will hurt, like a touch, but, like, it’s more like when you get super tight and it just feels like all your muscles are really tight, but it doesn’t hurt. It’s just like, it feels like a really deep stretch, I wouldn’t say it’s painful,” he said.

“This is day three, post surgery, and the first day, I could hardly lift my elbow, and now it’s like I can lift quite well. 

“The hardest part is not showering for two weeks. It’s the worst. It sucks. All I want is just to get under some water, but can’t because I don’t want to get it infected.”

Matthew Reeder
Written by
Matthew Reeder
Matt Reeder is a seasoned journalist and editor with more than 30 years’ experience working for regional newspapers and websites, including a 12-year stint as Group Sports Editor of The Yorkshire Post
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
Gwen Jorgensen World Triathlon Cup Tongyeong 2023 run
Olympic triathlon champion Gwen Jorgensen issues last call for scholarship fund for young athletes
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...