Ironman great hoping for miracle recovery in bid to make world titles

SHANNON Eckstein is holding out hope for a miraculous recovery from a major calf injury in a bid to make a world championship farewell.

SHANNON Eckstein is holding out hope for a miraculous recovery from a major calf injury in a bid to make a world championship farewell.

Scans revealed yesterday the 35-year-old ironman had suffered a high grade tear of the calf where it meets the achilles tendon.

“I had the MRI and it’s what I expected,” Eckstein said.

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Ironman great Shannon Eckstein will retire from professional racing at the end of the summer. Photo: Supplied

“It’s where I thought it was and it was the diagnosis I expected. I’m a pretty good healer but best-case scenario, I’m going to try to be right for the worlds in five weeks.

“That’s very, very optimistic to get back for that.

“Reality probably says that the new year would be the next race for me which would be Round 4 (of the Nutri-Grain series) at Currumbin. But I haven’t ruled out world title yet.”

The man widely regarded as the greatest ironman of all time has announced this will be his last season as a professional.

Shannon Eckstein has had surgery before on his troublesome calves. Picture Glenn Hampson

Looking to add to an already unmatched record of nine Nutri-Grain series titles, Eckstein entered the opening round at Queenscliff at the weekend in strong form and was shattered when he tore his calf when entering the water.

And while he would also love to add to his six world crowns, Eckstein said he would not risk next year’s Australian titles farewell by reinjuring himself in Adelaide next month.

“It’s all down to what I think I’m capable of racing with — and I’ve raced with injuries in the past — but at the moment I can’t even walk,” he said.

“It’s the worst injury of my career and to have it at 35 in your calf in the sport I do is not a good sign.

“The end goal at the moment is the Australian titles in April. while I’m pushing to get ready for worlds … I’m not going to risk redoing it again and setting myself back.

“I’ve won the last five world ironman titles — I’ve won six overall — and at the world titles in the Netherlands, I won swim, board, ski, iron, board rescue and taplin.

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Shannon Eckstein will miss the next Ocean6 round but hopes to return for Gold Coast races at Currumbin and Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams

“So 2016 was probably my best year and best world titles to finish on if I don’t get right for this one.”

Eckstein won’t go around in Adelaide just to make up the numbers.

“It’s very optimistic to think that I can race but we’ll just let the next couple of weeks guide me and see where I’m at.”