LIMA, Peru — Chad Hendricks could be out for as long as a year after severely injuring his left knee while preparing for the World Athletics U20 Championships at Estadio Atletico de la Videna here.

The injury was described as a medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear.

Hendricks travelled with the team to the South American city where the full extent of the injury was discovered. He will now travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he will undergo an operation at his new school, Louisiana State University (LSU), and commence his studies.

While watching his teammate Shaiquan Dunn warm up for the Men’s Discus Throw final on Saturday — the event which he had qualified for — the former Munro College standout had a philosophical outlook.

“Things happen, but I’m very disappointed,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Hendricks said the injury took place last week as he was in his final preparation for the World U20.

“It’s a new injury, but it wasn’t something that could be really prevented,” he said, adding that it came while he was training.

Further examination in Lima, he said, uncovered the extent of the injury, which ruled him out of competing here.

“There is nothing else we can do right now except to look forward to the future and hope for the best,” he said.