Tucker sits out World Triathlon

The 21-year-old was a medal favourite in the Under-23 event, but has not recovered from an Achilles problem.

"It's really disappointing to have to pull out of the Worlds," Tucker said.

"If I'd really pushed it over the past few weeks I might have been racing, but in the long term it probably wouldn't have been the best thing to do."

Tucker is the British champion, having taken the title at Royal Windsor in June.

The Welsh youngster is tipped as one of Britain's real medal hopes at the 2008 Olympic Games in China.

"Next year some of our races might be Olympic selection races so it's important for me to completely repair myself," Tucker added.

"It's going to be hard if I'm injured at the end of this year and it's ongoing, so my coaches and I have decided to have a break now and hopefully everything will sort itself out."

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