Ironwoman Jordy Mercer benching herself for Coolangatta Gold due to mystery pain

IRONWOMAN Jordy Mercer is shattered a mystery foot injury will sideline her from the Coolangatta Gold but says a break is the only way she can hope to compete without terrible pain.

Jordy Mercer celebrates winning the Nutri-Grain ironwoman series earlier this year.

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IRONWOMAN Jordy Mercer is shattered a mystery foot injury will sideline her from the weekend’s Coolangatta Gold but says her self-benching is the only way she can hope to compete on the sand this season without terrible pain.

The reigning Nutri-Grain ironwoman champion will miss one of the most iconic events on the surf lifesaving calendar due to an injury which has hampered her since March when she ran for extended periods on hard sand.

Jordy Mercer in action during the ironwoman final at Cronulla last season.

Mercer has now revealed she has raced almost the entire year in pain, including the recent world surf lifesaving championship in The Netherlands where she won five individual and team gold medals.

Mercer also said doctors have yet to diagnose what is causing the issue in her left ankle and she was concerned without a break she would not be able to seriously defend her Nutri-Grain crown in February.

“It could be structural, we don’t know. It’s all a bit of a mystery,’’ said Mercer, who confirmed a stress fracture had been ruled out.

“I know that I had to take the time off now in the hope it would be better for the rest of the season.

“I don’t want to. It’s shattering not to do the Coolangatta Gold. But I know for my future I have to do it.’’

Jordy Mercer with her Nutri-Grain ironwoman trophy.

The 22-year-old admitted she is also fatigued from a busy winter which included winning the gruelling the Molokai to Oahu Channel race.

“I am very tired,’’ she said.

Australian champion Bec Creedy and former iron star and Coolangatta Gold champion Courtney Hancock are now favourites to dominate the women’s 41.8km endurance event on Sunday.