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via Getty

via Getty

In the late 1990s, a thirteen-year-old kid from Sunderland, United Kingdom, was already making a name for himself in the world of amateur boxing. Tony Jeffries, just as a teenager was throwing powerful punches which frequently caused his hands to swell. It was astonishing to see such a young kid throw such vicious blows. He was passionate about boxing and ignored his injuries to follow his dream. He even won a bronze medal in the Beijing Olympics in 2008. However, his hands were severely damaged which forced him to quit boxing. But the athlete later reignited his love for boxing and started coaching young boxers and began doing boxing tutorials which became a big hit online. 

He has been a well-known instructor and boxing analyst for many years now. But he recently disclosed another ailment that returned as a result of his Brazilian jiu-jitsu practice. In an online post, he solicited advice from his followers on what to do about it. 

Echoes from the past for an Olympian

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The 39-year-old shared a post on his Instagram where he described how his rib, which was cracked 16 years ago, during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is starting to swell again. The video shows Jeffries examining his ribs closely in a mirror, in what looks like an elevator. He wrote in the caption, “This was the rib that was cracked during the Olympics… it’s been fine for years, but since I start doing BJJ it gets sort and is swollen all the time. Anyone know what to do? Rest, right?”

The former boxer can be seen with his wife, Sarah, and daughters in the clip. Notably, he even had an Olympic logo tattooed on his torso near the rib in question. Posting the video, he asked his followers to offer suggestions on how to treat his sore ribs. Soon, the comments section was overflowing with suggestions on how to assist the pain and swelling. Check out the recommendations that were made for his situation by his followers.

Ways to support the Olympian

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Athletes frequently experience the recurrence of past injuries as they become older. It’s an increasingly common fact, and one fan commented on it by writing, “Welcome to getting old. Every single injury I’ve ever had takes a turn haunting my life.” 

Another Instagram user speculated that practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu might have reawakened the previous physical injury or weakness. The comment read, “It looks like your rib is flaring, could be a muscular injury or weakness that is getting irritated by the bjj.”

There is an ancestral belief that using home remedies instead of visiting a doctor can be beneficial sometimes. For many, the greatest treatment for your pains is a natural one. But the validity of such treatments is not unquestionable. A fan suggested Jeffries use turmeric as an anti-inflammatory for his rib. The fan wrote, “Turmeric is a anti inflammatory it might help if you have abit of arthritis in your rib.”

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Jeffries often posts photos and videos of his beautiful daughters on social media. Another follower noticed how his three daughters were with their father trying to see what daddy was going through. Remarking on it, the fan wrote, “Ah all the little kids looks like your well looked after there.” 

The best way to recover from an ailing condition is to rest and let your body do its work. Someone, therefore, suggested plainly “Rest and heat” till it gets normal. Meanwhile, do you have any suggestions that could help the British Olympian get better? Suggest it in the comments below.