Five-time Paralympic Games champion Evan O'Hanlon has pulled out of the IPC athletics world championships with a stress fracture in his back.
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The Canberra athlete would have been one of the favourites to defend his T38 cerebral palsy 100m title in Doha from October 22-31.
O'Hanlon has now turned his focus to preparing for next year's Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
"I'm utterly disappointed that I won't get to defend or add to my world titles medal collection," O'Hanlon said.
"In Lyon two years ago, I managed to get back to compete after four weeks bed rest with meningitis, but this time I just won't be able to get the body ready in time.
"I will be back next year stronger, fitter, bigger and better than ever.
"I will push down the track in a hospital bed to win if need be.
"For now though, I'll be getting back to Canberra as soon as I can to start the road to recovery."
O'Hanlon is one of Australia's most decorated Para-athletes, having won gold at the Beijing Games in 2008 and also at the London Games in 2012.
He also has five individual world championship gold medals in his collection and completed the 100m, 200m, 400m treble in Lyon in 2013.
