
Olympic triathlete Hayden Wilde set for surgery after serious bike crash in Japan
Wilde had been in Japan to run 10km for the Tokyo Speed Race on May 3, one day before the bike accident.
He had hoped to beat the New Zealand national record of 27m 28s over 10km, but went over by 11s, completing the run in 27m 39s and taking seventh place – still a new personal best for the triathlete.
Last month, he competed in the Singapore T100 Triathlon World Tour event.
He secured the top spot on the podium, despite it being the Kiwi's first attempt at competing at that distance.
A T100 covers 100km of terrain, with a 2km swim, 80km bike and 18km run.
Wilde was awarded US$25,000 ($45,000) and 35 points for his debut win, helping to 'set the season off to a really good high', he told media afterwards.
After Paris 2024, Wilde indicated he planned to move away from completing Olympic triathlon distances so he could focus on other long-distance events such as the T100.
He hoped the change would aid in his preparation for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, telling RNZ he wanted to 'have a mental break'.
Wilde is already the recipient of two Olympic medals, with a silver medal won in Paris last year and a bronze won during Tokyo 2020.

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Newsroom
4 hours ago
- Newsroom
More than a medal: Māia's comeback a victory over hurt
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'To come back and know I can hold my own and keep up just proves that you can put your health and your wellbeing first. It's not worth burning out for something shiny. 'If you look after yourself, do the mahi and build your community and your support, your goals can still exist, and you can still be a high achiever in amongst the dysfunction, the disability and the pain. That's incredible.' Rachel Māia proudly displays her World Cup bronze medal. Photo: Santi Vega Castro Māia, a below-the-knee amputee, was the first Kiwi climber – able-bodied or disabled – to win a World Cup medal, a silver in 2022. She backed it up with a bronze at the world championships the following year. But in 2024, she chose to take a year away from her sport – for surgery on her 'good' leg, and to focus on her mental health. Her long-term goal is to compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, where Para climbing will make its debut. 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Otago Daily Times
5 hours ago
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