Tokyo 2020 surfing champion Italo Ferreira was taken to hospital on Tuesday (18 July) after injuring his knee during the World Championship Tour stop in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa.
Ferreira landed a pair of high-scoring tricks in the first 15 minutes of the elimination heat against Hawaii’s Ian Gentil and was in the lead, but then wiped out while attempting a high-speed backside floater.
The hard landing had his knee buckling onto the board at a wrong angle. Visibly in pain, Ferreira soon waved for help and was taken to shore by a Jet Ski.
“I am really sorry,” Ferreira wrote on his Instagram page later. “I had to abandon the heat and go straight to the hospital after making a mistake and hurting my right knee. Unlike last year, I wasn’t able to continue after feeling a lot of pain. I’ve been working hard to be strong and avoid this type of injury, but unfortunately there is a risk! I hope it’s nothing serious and I can get back as soon as possible, but with other plans! Because I can’t reach my ultimate goal.”
Read More: Tokyo 2020 surfing champion Italo Ferreira injures knee during Championship Tour 2023-07-18 13:38:00