Shot–putter Jacko Gill will miss next year's Commonwealth Games due to a rare heart condition.
Athletics New Zealand has confirmed that the 22-year-old has been suffering from Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle which was caused by a virus.
The scare came a fortnight ago when he woke in the middle of the night with acute pain his chest and heart and was rushed to hospital.
"I was lost for words when I got those results. It was a shock," Gill told NZME.
"I wasn't really expecting anything but I wanted to get it checked out just to be safe. To have significant heart damage at my age is a bit worrying but there are other high performance athletes it happens to. It's just bad luck. It's been a bit of a shock these past two weeks."
Gill is expected to make a full recovery in time for the 2019 World Championships and the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"I've just got to be sensible and look after myself and I'll be back to 100 per cent in six months, hopefully. I'll be looking forward to getting back into training. It's driving me crazy already."
It's the latest setback in a frustrating run for the two-time junior world champion after a broken foot forced him out of last year's Rio Olympics.
Athletics NZ high performance director Scott Goodman says Gill was understandably disappointed but remained optimistic he could make a return to full health.
"The main thing is that he is well and the prognosis for a return to good health is high," Goodman said.
"We are hopeful that Jacko can return and be a medal contender at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, but that is inconsequential compared to his health and wellbeing."
Newshub.