Disaster has struck for strongman fans as reigning English champion Kane Francis has pulled out of the national competition due to be held in York.
He was only three months away from his grand return to the venue where he achieved his ultimate glory – pulling off an incredible comeback against Andrew Flynn in front of the York crowd.
However a full rupture of his proximal adductor tendon in his groin during a regular gym session has ruled Francis out for the foreseeable future.
Due to the extensive wait on NHS services especially for such a big surgery needed, Francis’ long time friend plus competitor Evans Nana arranged a fundraiser to help the champion pay for private treatment.
The surgery will cost £15,000.
He thanked his fans and his friend Evans Nana’s persistence to set up a fundraiser that has raised almost £12,000 – just £3,000 short of the target.
On the fundraiser Nana said: “Since the NHS in the UK can be a very slow process, his only option is to go through private health care… It’s a huge hit to ask for help and obviously as “strongmen” we don’t like to ask for hand outs but the reality is if he doesn’t get the surgery asap his chances of recovery and returning to top level of strongman could be over.”
He told The Sun: “I had this gut-wrenching feeling when it happened … I am devastated … as I’m the current national title holder.”
“The donations have given me the fire to motivate myself on the path to recovery … I want to work even harder for the people that put time and money on me as a thank you to them.”
England’s Strongest Man is an event held every year where people from all around England compete in different strongman events with competitors reviving points in each show.
The competitor with the most points at the end of the season is crowned the winner, Such was Kane Francis who came from behind to win the whole thing last year.
On the 20th July England’s Strongest Man will return to York live from the York Barbican. Unfortunately without the current holder of the title “England’s Strongest Man”.
This does mean however a new champion will be crowned for 2025.
Fans that would like to help with getting the champion back into competition can donate to his surgery fundraiser on GoFundMe.
(Featured image credit: Wikipedia Commons)
