Freak rugby injury to sideline Van Niekerk for nine months
JOHANNESBURG: Star athlete Wayde van Niekerk of South Africa revealed on Tuesday that he injured his knee in a recent celebrity rugby match and could be sidelined for nine months.
The Olympic and world 400m champion and world recordholder has cut short his honeymoon after getting married two days ago so that he can have surgery in the United States.
“This is sport and these things (injuries) happen,” he said in a statement. Among the events Van Niekerk will miss is the Commonwealth Games on the Australian Gold Coast next April.
His management company confirmed he will have surgery in Colorado town Vail, then recuperate there, in Qatar capital Doha and in South Africa.
Van Niekerk sustained the injury playing in a touch rugby match that was a curtain-raiser to a Test between South Africa and New Zealand in Cape Town earlier this month.
He quit the game after hurting himself, but the 25-year-old did not immediately realise the seriousness of the injury.
“I trust that the team I have around me, including the medical professionals, will make this process as smooth as possible,” he said.
“I have faith that, God willing, I will be able to race again later next year.
“A full recovery is going to be crucial so I will be patient, but I will work as hard as I can to get back on the track as soon as possible.”
In a tweet, Van Niekerk said: “Thanks to all for the kind wishes. Sadly, I announce that I will be off the track for a while. Will be back stronger.”