Surf great Shannon Eckstein has end game post Nutri-Grain ironman finale
A creak or two and a little stiffness when he got out of bed and Shannon Eckstein knew the time was right to start plotting an end to one his extraordinary career.
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A creak or two and a little stiffness when he got out of bed and Shannon Eckstein knew the time was right to start plotting an end to one of Australian sport’s longest and most extraordinary careers.
After 19 straight years of elite racing, Eckstein has made the decision this season will be his last and last Saturday’s racing at Wanda Beach his final ever appearance in a professional ironman race.
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The 36-year-old father-of-two is on the comeback from a calf tear but has stilol imprssed in his final three appearances in the Nutri-Grain series.
When he crossed the finish on Saturday, Eckstein left the series as it’s greatest ever athlete with nine Nutri-Grain series crowns, three seconds, three thirds and an extraordinary 34 individual race wins.
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His bid for a 10th crown was stymied when he tore his calf just seconds into the first race of the 2018/2019 series late last year.
Eckstein, who is relishing the extra time he can now spend with his wife Belinda, daughter Ellie and son Blake, said he knew the time was right for him to quite the sport thanks to his body.
“I’m 35. I, getting on,” he said.
“It’s taken a bit of a toll on the body. I’ve never taken a year off and the calf injury this year is probably the only time I had to miss a couple of races.
“Last year I rolled my ankle and this year I did my calf so I feel my body is telling me it’s about time.
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“I am waking up every morning sore. My Achilles is sore. It’s an uncomfortable feeling.
“It’s also the right time in my life with a good job and my family.”
But Eckstein has his sights on another significant crown before his final farewell.
“The Australian titles is my end game,” Eckstein said.
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