Jan Frodeno Out of 2018 Ironman World Championship

Two-time Ironman world champion Jan Frodeno of Germany announced on Wednesday that he will not be competing on the Big Island next month due to a stress fracture in his hip.

The announcement comes as a shock, as Frodeno just turned in an amazing performance at Sept. 2’s Ironman 70.3 World Championship to take the victory in an epic battle with Alistair Brownlee (GBR) and Javier Gomez (ESP).

“Certainly not how I hoped this season would end,” Frodeno announced on Instagram.
“A stress fracture in my hip (SI joint)… The highs and lows of sport have never been so close for me- winning a world title last week and being sidelined for the season the next… Just a reminder to all of us that success never comes in a straight line… currently listening to Daft Punk- One More Time, so see you all next year 😉 #FrodosOut #Literally”

Frodeno struggled through the 2017 Ironman World Championship with back pain, but was still expected to be a top contender (if not the favorite) to take his third Ironman world title on Oct. 13 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.