The challenge involved carrying an 80kg weight for 20 meters to the finish line, but just seconds before completing it, Dan suffered a devastating injury.
After being given painkillers, Dan underwent a five-hour surgery to have his tendons repaired and reattached.
@danj3903 Day 18 after surgery for 2 ruptured patella tendons. Theres progress everyday so were getting confident of getting home soon #strongman #injury #injuryrecovery #rupturedtendon #rupturedpatellartendon #recovery #story ♬ Controller (Remix) – Onesimus & Joeboy
This tendon plays a crucial role in straightening the knee for essential movements like walking and climbing stairs.
It’s still unclear whether Dan will be able to compete in future Strongman events, though reports indicate his rehabilitation is progressing well.
“If I had won this event, there was a chance I could have won my category, and if I had come second, I would have finished second overall out of 16 people.”
He explained that the competitor he was up against was leading the competition, so he pushed himself as hard as he could.
The footage is horrificTikTok / @danj3903
“After slowing down the video with doctors and surgeons, it looks like my right knee patellar tendon snaps out of nowhere, which causes my leg to fold underneath me.
“I felt like I was on fire, my kneecaps were in my quads because my tendons ruptured.”
“The surgeon has said it could be the end of all the Strongman competitions for me, but it’s a case-by-case basis,” Dan shared.
Dan said he felt like he was ‘on fire’ (Kennedy)TikTok / @danj3903
“He said it would be very rare that I’d be able to compete at the level I was again, but we won’t know until I start healing.”
Dan is hopeful that he will be discharged from the hospital in time for his birthday on September 30.
