Koji Murofushi, who is looking to capture his first gold at the athletics World Championships which gets under way this weekend, fell during last week's practice and injured his right elbow and finger, his father and coach Shigenobu said Wednesday.
The 28-year-old was practicing in the rain at a Chukyo University training facility in Toyota, Aichi Prefecture, when he slipped and hit his elbow, forcing him to delay his departure for two days to receive treatment in Japan, his father said. He arrived in Paris on Wednesday.
"Right after the accident, his finger was numb and it seemed like he had difficulty driving. If it were his left finger, he wouldn't have been able to compete. I'll have to see how he does tomorrow,"Murofushi's father said.
The preliminary round of the men's hammer throw begins Saturday with the final scheduled for Monday.