What started as a thrilling Strongman competition in Southport, U.K., ended in agony for 34-year-old Dan Jones, who suffered a shocking double injury that left him unable to walk.

Just meters from the finish line while carrying an 80kg weight, Dan’s knees suddenly gave out. Both patellar tendons—connecting his thighs to his shins—snapped, sending his kneecaps up into his thighs. “It felt like I was on fire,” he recalled.

Dan, a dad and IT analyst from Cheshire, underwent a five-hour surgery to repair the damage and now faces a long road to recovery, including daily physio and learning to walk again. Doctors say it’s extremely rare to see both tendons rupture at once.

Despite the trauma, Dan remains hopeful. Though he may never compete at the same level again, his biggest motivation is being able to play with his daughter. “It’s been horrendous,” he said, “but I’m setting little goals—standing, walking, moving again. That’s what keeps me going.”