So few MCs injure themselves MCing that it is rare for newspapers to publish an MC injury list. But this week at Sanctuary Cove, I allowed a thank you to spiral out of control, and strained my right quadricep. It’s not season ending, but it is uncomfortable, and so I imagine the injury update will read:

Tony Wilson (ICMI) – right quadricep – test

It all started going wrong when the author of ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’, Li Cunxin spent a portion of his address with an extended right leg up around his ear. He touched on love and loss, commitment and passion. At some point he recalled the rigors of becoming one of the world’s great dancer’s, and the ear-high leg only underlined the fact that he had some serious natural gifts. When he needed to pause, he lowered the leg to the lectern.

At the end of the talk, I thanked Li, not only for an inspiring story, but also for breaking down barriers in relation to that nagging desire many MCs have to place our right foot on the lectern. I then kicked my leg high, plonked it down next to the microphone and felt my right quadricep yelp with pain. Wincing, but professional to the last, I continued thanking Li, and encouraged the Meritum conference to buy a signed copy of ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ over morning tea.

I then casually informed the conference that I had torn my right quadricep and might require some assistance lowering my leg. This was taken to be some sort of attempt at humour and instead of bringing ice, the financial planners of Meritum wandered past, congratulated me on my gag, and continued into the Queensland sunshine.