Hockey: Inglis progressing well

Black Sticks striker Hugo Inglis was passed fit to take his place on the plane to Rio.

Now he just has to be passed fit to take his place on the field.

The Black Sticks departed Auckland yesterday bound for Rio de Janeiro and Inglis joined them despite still struggling with an injury.

The 25-year London Olympian picked up a calf injury during the Black Sticks' away series against the Netherlands last month and has been in a race to be fit ever since.

"I have not really passed any [fitness] tests yet but I'm going to give it a good crack when we get there,'' Inglis said.

"I've had my calf re-scanned and it looks like it is healing pretty well and they are pretty happy with the way it is progressing.''

The Black Sticks have warm-up games in Rio and "they will be the guide as to whether I can get through the tournament''.

"The coaches are giving me every opportunity to play in the tournament and are not going to rush things.

"Whether I have a formal fitness test or not, I'm not sure. But I certainly do not want to let the team down either, so it is a bit of a balancing act.''

Inglis did some sprinting earlier in the week and his calf "tightened up a bit'' but it is "a lot better than it was''.

"I've just got to get off the plane and do everything right and I think I'll be fine.''

Inglis and fellow Rio Black Sticks Blair Tarrant and Kane Russell all honed their hockey skills at Otago Boys' High School before continuing their hockey education with the Southern Dogs.

Inglis' parents, Malcolm and Caroline, and his brother, Henry, will travel to Brazil to watch him compete.

His sister, Polly, who is also a promising hockey and cricket player, will remain in New Zealand.

News Kiwi jujitsu athlete Jason Lee said he had been kidnapped and robbed was a reminder to New Zealand Olympians to be on guard.

Inglis, though, was more concerned for his family. He felt the athletes would be safe inside the Olympic Village.

"It was not too reassuring reading that but I'm sure everything will be under control.

"I'm more concerned about [my family] than ourselves. We won't be doing all the touristy stuff or walking around the streets.''

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