In a cruel twist of fate that has stunned the athletics world, Britain's rising sprint star Lachie Kennedy has been forced to withdraw from the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The promising athlete's dreams have been derailed not by a typical sports injury, but by a severe and debilitating case of gout.
The diagnosis, which came just as Kennedy was entering the final phase of his preparation for the global event, has left his coaching team and fans devastated. The condition, more commonly associated with historical monarchs than elite athletes in their prime, caused such intense pain and swelling that it ultimately led to a further training injury in September 2025, sealing his fate.
A Devastating Setback for a Promising Career
Kennedy, who had been tipped as a potential dark horse in the highly competitive sprint events, was in the form of his life before the illness struck. The news sends shockwaves through UK Athletics, which had high hopes for his performance on the world stage.
Gout, a form of inflammatory arthritis, is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints. It is exceptionally rare for an athlete of Kennedy's age and fitness level to be afflicted, making the diagnosis all the more shocking for his medical team.
The Domino Effect: From Diagnosis to Injury
The sequence of events that led to Kennedy's withdrawal is a story of misfortune. The initial gout flare-up, believed to have occurred in his foot or ankle, severely limited his mobility and training capacity. While attempting to manage the condition and maintain his fitness, the compromised movement and pain are reported to have contributed directly to a significant secondary injury during a training session.
This subsequent injury, sustained in September 2025, was the final blow, making any possibility of recovery and competition in time for the Championships medically impossible. Specialists have confirmed a lengthy rehabilitation period is now required.
What This Means for UK Athletics
Kennedy's absence is a significant blow to Team GB's track and field prospects. His raw speed and improving technique had marked him as one to watch, and his withdrawal leaves a gap in the sprint squad.
The athletics community has rallied around the young sprinter, offering messages of support and wishing him a speedy recovery. The focus now shifts to his long-term rehabilitation and recovery, with hopes that this setback is merely a chapter in a long and successful career, rather than its defining moment.
