Australian Olympic champion Kyle Chalmers has undergone surgery now less than 250 days away from the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games.
“Rehab starts now. Bring on Tokyo 2020ne,” read the freestyle ace’s Instagram post dated Wednesday, November 25th, while the 22-year-old smiles from a hospital bed.
When would-be London Roar team member Chalmers withdrew from season 2 of the International Swimming League, the Marion swimmer cited an unspecified injury as his reason for bowing out of the season. That was in contrast to the great majority of Aussies having pulled out of ISL season 2 due to travel restrictions.
“Unfortunately due to injury, I will be unable to compete at @iswimleague season 2. Devastated, but all part of the process. I wish my teammates all the best. GO @isl_londonroar !!!,” read Chalmers’ social media post in September.
The picture below indicates a shoulder-related issue, with Chalmers confirming to SwimSwam today, “Clean out to ease the pain. I’ll be back really quickly.”
Chalmers is no stranger to undergoing medical procedures, as the 2016 Olympic champion in the men’s 100m freestyle has undergone 3 separate surgeries since 2016 to address his condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT). You can read more about those here.
Really looking forward to that race in Tokyo. Chalmers is a class act and a monster swimmer. Best of luck towards recovery
King Kyle will be back in no time, the man is built like a tank and his work ethics is one of the best I’ve ever witnessed
It was not a reconstruction, just a wash out, he will be back quickly
Fratus had similar surgery in a similar time frame before 2019 worlds and managed a 21.45 silver medal. Not his best time, but faster than he went in Rio. Chalmers will be back to medal contention, but it’s definitely a setback, especially as Dressel just keeps getting better.
I’m not sure about dressel, sure he was insane scm this year., but that’s partially because he now got dialed in for the format. I don’t believe he actually was a lot “fitter” than last year. Atleast not enough to justify the difference between 49.2 and 47.7 in the fly.
Although I’m looking forward to dressel proving me absolutely wrong as he usually does.
If you recall after the 100 free at 2019 WC’s, he raised Caeleb Dressel’s hand in a great gesture. Both men are class acts. They have a friendly rivalry that I hope pushes them both to super things in the future. Wishing you a speedy, successful & full recovery Kyle.
Will he have enough time to recover?
Oof sounds rough. 3 heart surgeries…
Hoping to see him rock Tokyo!
I think this was a shoulder injury. But I´m not sure, anyway, so much bad luck for such a talented old man
He had 3 heart surgeries ( which was why he didn’t compete in the 2017 worlds and was only 48.0 in 2018) before and now a shoulder injury.
Oof. I hate to see this. Wishing him a full and speedy recovery
Dang man this kid seems cursed. If he’s not ready to go we’re gonna miss out on the most hyped 1v1 matchup
My heart sank when I read this. I wish him the best, but shoulder injuries and surgeries seem to be the bane of so many great and talented swimmers. Kyle deserves to swim a 46.
Even more so than the hyped 1v1, Chalmers will (probably) be part of the intense 4v4 in the 800 free relay. I think that will be an exciting show down and a peak Chalmers should be a part of it.