Australia's Mitchell Watt competes during the London Olympics men's long-jump qualifying rounds on August 3, 2012. He on Tuesday pulled out of the Moscow world championships after an injury-plagued build-up. (AFP/File)
SYDNEY (AFP) – Olympic long-jump silver medallist Mitchell Watt on Tuesday pulled out of the Moscow world championships after an injury-plagued build-up.
The Australian said his preparation was not good enough to compete at the championships in the Russian capital from August 10-18.
"I have been battling ankle and Achilles pain across my early season and this has caused continued trouble for me in practice and competition," said the 25-year-old, who jumped 8.16 metres at the London Olympics for silver behind winner Greg Rutherford from Britain.
"I'm not someone that just wants to show up at an event and given these circumstances I will not be 100 percent competitive this season and need more time to overcome the issue."
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