Our Ali hits wall after injury on Japanese show Sasuke

Injury scuppered Kelso athlete Ali Hay’s chances of glory on Far East fitness show Sasuke last week.
Kelso athlete Ali Hay is an invited competitor on Japanese show Sasuke.Kelso athlete Ali Hay is an invited competitor on Japanese show Sasuke.
Kelso athlete Ali Hay is an invited competitor on Japanese show Sasuke.

The 30-year-old featured on the Hogmanay show as an invited elite competitor, having found fame on the show’s British equivalent, Ninja Warrior UK.

And since the show has now aired, he can reveal his disappointment after an existing ankle injury reared its head during the first stage of the obstacle course.

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“On the second obstacle, I felt the crunch in my ankle,” he said. “There was a moment of realisation that even through the adrenaline, it was really painful.

“I tried to keep going as if I thought about it for too long, I would time out or stop.

“I got to the wall with 36 seconds on the countdown clock, 16 seconds faster than any time yet.

“I had four attempts at it before the buzzer went. I just couldn’t believe that I didn’t get up the wall.”

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“I just couldn’t generate the energy. It was like I was jumping but had no spring coming from my legs. it was bizarre. As soon as the buzzer ran out and I knew it was over I saw down and saw the damage, which they believe is damage to the cartillage. I’ve had to cancel competitions in January and February to recover.
“But there’s a lot of exciting things coming up this year. And in temrs of Sasuke, there’s a little bit of unfinished business there so hopefully they saw my potential and you never know what will happen in the future.”

Down but not out, Ali hopes to return to competitions in March.

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