Runner crawls 200m with broken leg to help teammates finish race
This is the incredible moment a teenage runner refused to quit her relay race despite breaking her leg.
Rei Iida, 19, tripped and broke her leg during the end of her stage of the 42-kilometre race in Japan recently.
But in remarkable scenes, she crawled on in defiance on bloodied hands and knees, unwilling to let her teammates down.
As you can see in the video above, Iida’s actions brought her teammate to tears as she awaited the changeover.
Officials were originally criticised for not stopping the young runner, even though she reportedly insisted on finishing.
The team manager decided to pull the team out of the race when he heard what had happened, but by that stage it was too late.
The head judge also struggled with the decision whether or not to stop her.
“I struggled to decide whether I should stop her, but I felt she could do it as she was almost at her goal”, the judge told reporters.
“How many metres are left until my goal?” she reportedly asked.
Her incredible courage has gone viral around the world, with many praising her remarkable efforts.
Japanese Runner Iida Rei crawls to the finish line on bloody knees after leg injury in a marathon, she made it because she refuse to be called quitter, and because of those who count on her.
no excuses, so never give up! pic.twitter.com/EYzNSbKytd— ابتســـ☺ــــامــ (@twt_Ebtisam) November 6, 2018
Really #motivating
Don't feel that you are at the toughest situation of your life. #inspiring #ReiIida pic.twitter.com/pxcxAqRvvt— Pritiranjan Panda (@pritiranjan95) November 7, 2018
Determination and incredible team spirit and selflessness. Even after she was injured, iida rei 飯田 怜 crawled on concrete to keep the relay going, so the team won't forfeit.https://t.co/piTVMoa8hp
— Kamal 「カマル」 (@funkybukkyo) November 8, 2018
Japanese 19-year-old runner Rei Iida broke her leg during a relay race. She crawled on her knees so her team would be able to continue the race. Let's spread the word about this inspiring story of pushing your limits! #japan #fukuoka #ekidenpic.twitter.com/y0jsvVuTrr
— Japan Vibe 🎌 (@Japan_Vibe) November 12, 2018
Can see what she must have felt!!! More power to you #ReiIida https://t.co/44UUHFPUij
— Mandar Karane (@me_mandark) November 12, 2018
That's #sportsmanship for you! i'd choose to be in her team any day!!! #ReiIida
Japanese relay runner crawls to the finish line on bloody knees. https://t.co/yEaCEt6gGq via @YouTube— Swarna (@FltLtSwarna) November 12, 2018
This is beyond Inspirtational. This is heroic. Champions don't quit. DON'T QUIT!!!!
Japanese runner Rei Iida doesn't give up, even with a broken leg. https://t.co/T7818S6218 via @YouTube#ccheryrose— RootedCenteredPlanted (@KisaKisa2) November 12, 2018
This is so moving. This is leadership and determination! 19 year Japanese Runner Iida Rei crawled to the finish line on bloody knees after a leg fracture, she kept at it for her partner who counted on her to continue the race. So moved by her! https://t.co/K0gAQC6SGE
— Shatha Al Maskiry (@shathamaskiry) November 12, 2018