Fighter Alexander says broken arm has ‘come at a good time’

Dec 14 2011 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

TAEKWONDO fighter Alexander Gray’s season ended badly as he broke his arm – but admits the injury has come at a good time.

The 18-year-old, from Mossneuk, was competing in a bout in Arbroath when he suffered a fracture to his left arm.

However, he still managed to walk away with a silver medal from the end-of-season competition.

Alexander told the News: “I was sparring with Steve Edines, from Forfar, and we were about 10 seconds away from the end when he aimed a kick and I blocked it with my arm.

“I didn’t feel any pain at first, it just went numb.

“I won the fight and was hanging around waiting for the final match when the pain really started to come on and I had to go to the first aid station.

“It meant I couldn’t fight in the final match-up, but because it was a round robin event I had done enough to get a silver medal.

“The injury has come at a good time, in a way, as I’ve got plenty time to recover.

“The season has finished and I’m looking to get back in time for selections for the European Championships in April.”

And Alexander, who was part of the Scotland squad for this year’s Euros in Bratislava, now hopes to be back in a matter of weeks.

The student of Mark Hutton’s Black Belt Academy added: “The doctors have said I will be out for eight weeks, but on top of that I will need at least two weeks for rehab before I can go back out and fight again.

“I have had really good support from everyone at my club and they are hoping I have a speedy recovery.

“If I can get back to fitness on schedule I should be okay for selection for the Euros and then I just have to hope I can do enough to be chosen for the team again.”