German pole vaulter Torben Blech has said he has suffered severe season-ending injuries during a recent competition.
Blech posted a video on Instagram on Tuesday showing him land only partially on the mat at an event in the German town of Bad Bergzabern.
"Difficult times ahead of me. Severe injury and season end - more information to follow over the next days," he said.
"I hit the asphalt with my lower leg and landed on the mat with my upper body down to the hips. Luckily nothing happened to my head. My left knee is severely injured. The exact diagnosis must be confirmed, I will announce it next week."
Blech said he doesn't know how the accident happened, adding that "it is the first time it has happened to me in seven years."
The 31-year-old has a personal best of 5.86m and has competed at world championships and Olympics. He won a silver medal at the 2019 World University Games.
