Former rugby star Alix Popham pictures himself cycling just months after he claimed he was ‘lucky to be alive’ following freak accident at Ironman event
- Ex-rugby star Alix Popham stepped up recovery after accident at Ironman event
- Popham was ‘lucky to be alive’ after being kicked in the head while swimming
Published: 21:00, 25 November 2023 | Updated: 22:19, 25 November 2023
Alix Popham has pictured himself cycling just months after being kicked in the head while swimming at an Ironman event.
The former rugby player – who was diagnosed with early onset dementia aged 40, said he was ‘lucky to be alive’ after the incident in September, which was aimed at raising money for a brain injury charity.
Popham had been taken to hospital after claiming he was ‘constantly vomiting’ and feeling dazed – and he’s now shown off his road to recovery after posting a photo of him enjoying a bike ride.
Alongside a photo of him smiling while wearing a bike helmet, Popham wrote: ‘Building the distance back up.
So nice to get out in the [sun].’
Speaking about the incident in September, Popham said: ‘It was simply a freak accident – a group of elite athletes overtook me at the second buoy during my first lap,’ said the dad-of three. [2]
Alix Popham pictured himself cycling just months after a freak accident while swimming
‘I was plodding along at my own speed, concentrating on my stroke, when they just went right over the top of me.
‘It was like suddenly being inside a washing machine, and the force was such that it even ripped my watch from my wrist.’
‘Coming out of the water I really felt the worse for wear and my wife Mel said my eyes looked completely glazed over, as though I didn’t recognise her at all,’ he added.
‘I tried to go back in for the second lap but just couldn’t.
‘I felt sick and probably vomited about 10 times afterwards, which is when the ambulance was called.’