RYLEY Batt won’t be happy to see the end of 2017, but he won’t be upset to see the back of it either.
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It has been an up and down year for the 28-year-old.
He admitted winning the Asia Oceania championships and retaining their number one ranking was a highlight.
But in amongst the successes have been some challenges, including the recovery from injuries and niggles associated with being a professional sportsman.
The Steelers captain only returned to full training last week following time off to treat a shoulder complaint.
“My shoulder is my life – it’s like an able-body who (relies on their) knees,” Batt said.
“It’s just overuse where small tears become issues and at the moment it’s a constant battle with inflammation.
“It’s constantly on your mind and it’s constantly painful, so I feel like I’m really old to be honest.”
My shoulder is my life – it’s like an able-body who (relies on their) knees.
- Ryley Batt
His troublesome left shoulder may eventually require surgery to shave the ligaments from the bone and free it up, but it won’t impact on any Tokyo 2020 preparations.
Batt and the Australians will head to the United States this week for a 16-day trip that will wrap up their season.
First up is a five-game series against the United States national champions the Phoenix Heat.
The Heat are filled with American national players and Japanese imports who are expected to challenge the Steelers.
Don’t try telling the Port Macquarie paralympian that it’s a “nothing” competition – his competitive edge will ensure it isn’t.
Then the Steelers will head to San Diego where Batt will look to keep his undefeated record in tact.
“I’ve played in that tournament a few times for San Diego and have been undefeated so I want to keep that going,” he said.
“I’ve never played for Australia there so there will be a Brazilian team, a Canadian team and five or six top club teams from America.
“Maybe then we’ll have a couple of beers in San Diego by the beach after the competition.”
There are no ranking points on the line and Batt conceded it would be a “bit of an end-of-year fun trip.”
“We’ve done all the hard work over the last couple of years and never had a trip where we could sight see a bit which we might be able to do,” he said.
I’m looking forward to the new year; there is a lot going on in the wheelchair rugby scene and Australia will host its first-ever wheelchair rugby world championships.
- Ryley Batt
In the new year, the focus will then turn to preparations for next year’s world championships.
“I’m looking forward to the new year; there is a lot going on in the wheelchair rugby scene and Australia will host its first-ever wheelchair rugby world championships.”