Tonight, one of Belize's premier cyclists, Marlon Castillo is barely out of surgery after a tragic accident has left him in danger of losing his right hand.
That mishap with a meat grinder took place this morning at the family butcher shop in the Michael Finnegan Market, and it has left 35-year-old Marlon Castillo in an unimaginable situation.
And while the injury is not life threatening, it may threaten to prevent him competing in the sport that he dedicated half his life to.
Cherisse Halsall has the story.
He was the second Belizean to cross the finish line at last year's cross-country race but Marlon Castillo may never ride competitively again after a tragic accident at his family's butcher shop that left his right hand trapped and partially mangled.
This afternoon we spoke via phone to the to Vice-president of the cycling association
Dion Leslie, Vice-President Cycling Association
"There was an accident and Marlon Castillo had gotten his hand stuck in the grinder, of course, those who know Marlon and those who don't he owns a meat shop and he was grinding some meat and apparently he lost track of what he was doing to my understanding and got his hand stuck in it and it was pretty nasty.I learnt about 20 minutes ago that he actually just came out of surgery so we don't know the. The extent of the damage to his hand and what all had to be cut off and what all will be able to be salvaged by the doctors so we don't know the extent."
And while Castillo and his family prepare for a long recovery, his cycling family is also standing by to offer their support.
Dion Leslie, Vice-President Cycling Association
"I was informed by his family members that he has come out of surgery and so we'll just wait to see but it's sad for Marlon who has been around cycling for well almost over 20 years. I think Marlon started riding when he was 14 years old and he won everything possible in Cycling except for the grand prize which is the Holy Saturday Cross Country classic."
But what, if any future in cycling can Castillo hope to have? Leslie is optimistic.
Dion Leslie, Vice-President Cycling Association
"I personally don't know the extent of what was lost or like I said what the doctors were able to salvage and based on that we know, and we have seen that there are ways that you know people do use prosthetics for cycling and whatnot so you know it's not the end of the road and knowing the love that Marlon has for this sport and the determination he has I don't see this as something that you know ends it for him or takes him off the bike forever but again we are just guessing so we will have to wait and see what is the extent and based on that we are all here for Marlon to see how we can help him recover and see how we can help him move forward to you know not only get back on the bike but get back to his shop, his business, his family and doing all the things he loves."
Castillo who is left-handed sustained the injury in his right arm.
We note that he placed fourth in last year's Cross Country in what was wondered a remarkable ride because he was just coming back to the sport after a period of dormancy.
