spare a thought for skizo

[Tumbleweed]

SOUTH AFRICAN BMX STAR BADLY INJURED IN CRASH

 

South Africa?s international BMX star, Sifiso Nhlapo, underwent emergency surgery on Monday night after a crash during training left him with two fractured vertebrae in his neck, putting his chances of racing again this season in doubt.

 

The 21-year-old MTN rider landed badly at speed on a large jump at a track in Norway, where he currently based. He crashed into the ground head first, breaking the jaw piece off his full-face helmet and was knocked unconscious. He was rushed to hospital were it was found that he?d fractured the third and fourth cervical vertebrae and has damaged ligaments in that area.

 

?They have not picked up any nerve damage and there are no signs of paralysis at this stage, but the injury did require surgery,? explained Mark Squire, Nhlapo?s manager. ?According Anders Grondsund, fellow top racer and friend with whom Nhlapo is staying in Norway, last night?s operation was successful and Sifiso was talking to doctors afterwards.?

 

Nhlapo made international news headlines in 2008 when he reached the inaugural BMX final at the Beijing Olympic Games where he dramatically crashed out on the penultimate corner. He has been on an unprecedented six-race winning streak in the 2009 European Championship Series and is currently third in the points standings. He won the bronze medal at the 2008 world championships and is currently ranked No. 1 in Europe and No. 4 in the world.

 

Nhlapo was intent on trying to win the European Championship Series after having finished second in 2008. Also on his schedule were the 2009 World Championships in Australia next month and the second round of the UCI World Cup in Pietermaritzburg in August.

 

?Sifiso had a similar crash last year and came back and won bronze at the World Champs. This crash is more serious, but we are hoping he makes a full recovery. It?s unlikely he?ll race again this season,? said Squire.

 

For updates on Nhlapo?s progress, visit www.skizo105.com

[Thug]

Sorry to hear that, hope he heals and recovers quickly.

 

 

[KDEE]

Such bad news for the SA BMX community.. The kids were beside themselves with excitement that he would be racing in PMB in a few months..

 

This young man is a true world star, very commited to helping others and all round nice guy.

 

Prayers all round for a full recovery. Back/spine injuries are never not serious..

 

[Hog_]

That's bad news, although it sounds like he'll be okay. He's been training very hard, must be very depressing to be out for the season when he's been performing so well.

 

 

 

 

 

[Brad@TheRiot]

That is terrible news! 

 

I wish you a speedy recovery my bud!

 

[Andrew Steer]

Man this sucks, he's such an awesome guy and great ambassador for this country - thoughts certainly with him...

 

Heal up good Skizo

[andrewc]

Prayers and thoughts with Sifiso. He's one of the best cycling ambassadors that South Africa has.

 

 

 

Get well soon, Sifiso!

 

 

 

Andrew

[IdeJongh]

Bad things to good people hey...

 

All the best to him, sure he'll be back up there before we know it.

[Ghostface]

Saw some profile notices on FB this morning and thenfound out what happened. Not good. At least the op went well.

[gummibear]

Hope he recovers fully.

[2 X 2]

Bad news, hope he recovers fully

[calabash]

Get strong soon mate.

[cat-i]

oh no! wishing you a speedy and full recovery.

[louis0852]

That is seriously bad news, hope he could've won the european series this year. Good luck brother

[_BBi]

Just got a similar note from our BMX club. Fortunatly there seems to be no nerve damage. Good  luck with the recovery.

[droo]

He even made it onto the news last night... sad that he's gotta break his neck to get there. Next time it'll be for winning the champs next year!