Will Bayley has said he will be “devastated” if his Strictly Come Dancing injury rules him out of next year’s Paralympics.
The table tennis champion was forced to quit the BBC Latin and ballroom show last night (30.10.19) after doctors ruled he couldn’t continue due to his anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, which he suffered when he fell last Saturday (26.10.19) and was ruled out of that evening’s show.
But he is desperate to be fit in time for Tokyo 2020.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing: Will Bayley forced to quit after injury
He told The Sun: “If I have to miss Tokyo it would be devastating. I’m at the top of my career. I’ve played four major tournaments this season and I’ve won three gold medals. I’m the best player in the world at the moment.
“So this is just massively scary to have this injury at this moment. It’s only just starting to sink in. I’ve got an ACL tear, so I have to wait six weeks and if it doesn’t improve I may then need surgery, which could be six months out. I can’t believe it.”
Will admits the first thought he had when he fell was about the Paralympics – which take place from August 25th to September 6th 2020 – and he has been in “agony” with the injury.
He said he’s “so gutted” and in “total shock” as it’s been a “traumatic four days for me”.
Will – who has arthrogryposis in all four limbs, which resulted in operations to have his bones being broken and reset as a child – was glad the Strictly judges didn’t “feel sorry for [him]” throughout the series, but has questioned one of Craig Revel Horwood’s comments about him being “too stiff”, insisting there isn’t much he can do about it.
Will announced yesterday that he’s had to quit the show due to his injury.
I’m gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end.
He said in a statement: “I’m gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end.
“I’ve loved being part of the show, and am so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received.
“I want to say a special thank you to Janette for believing in me, and giving me the confidence to believe in myself.
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“The things we achieved, from our couple’s choice dance, through to the lifts in our salsa, will stay with me forever. I’ve had the time of my life.”
Will suffered his injury on the day of the live show last Saturday, when he was rehearsing his jive with Janette.
The star performed part of his routine in which he jumped from a raised part of the stage, but twisted his right knee when he fell and was rushed to hospital when he was unable to get up from the floor.
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