SINGAPORE — Standing on the sidelines of the Choa Chu Kang stadium on June 7, national rugby sevens player Jay-Hykel Jailani struggled to keep his emotions in check as his team-mates collected their SEA Games bronze medals.

While he was happy to see his compatriots winning the bronze, the 22-year-old was “shattered” not to be a part of the home side.

Last November, Jay-Hykel’s rugby career was put on hold after he was diagnosed with Paget-Schroetter Disease, a form of upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which sees blood clots forming in deep veins of the arms.

Surgery to remove an extra rib bone near his collar — which had exacerbated the condition — in April, and the subsequent recovery, saw him missing out on the SEA Games.

“To miss out on the Games after training so hard and so long shattered me emotionally, physically and mentally,” Jay-Hykel told TODAY.

“I felt in my peak and to get injured just before the final hurdle was brutal, and I felt really helpless when I was watching the team play from the sidelines during the Games.”

But Jay-Hykel was determined not to let the disease slow him down. Barely a month after his surgery, the Republic Polytechnic graduate was back in the gym, and three weeks later he made his return to training on the field, and has since received the all-clear from his doctors.

The speedy winger was finally back in Singapore colours last week, competing in the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in Qingdao, where the team finished in 10th place. He is also expected to join the squad in the next two legs of the series, in Bangkok from Sept 26-27, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, next month (Oct 10-11).

Donning the national jersey again after nine months was an “emotional” moment for the 22-year-old, as he said: “Perhaps I took the jersey for granted a little in the past, but I felt a real sense of pride when I put it on.

“From being in a position where I honestly didn’t know if I would ever be able to play rugby again, to representing the country in a regional tournament is a huge achievement for me. Of course, it’s always mentally challenging to get back on the field after a serious injury, but I’m just keeping positive and focused on working to reach my peak again.”

After missing out on the SEA Games at home, Jay-Hykel’s goal now is to lead the Republic to success at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur. “Helping Singapore to success in Kuala Lumpur will also be the best way to repay all those who have supported me throughout my tough times, so I’m determined to get stronger and better,” he added.

While Jay-Hykel’s return has been welcomed by the local rugby fraternity, Singapore Rugby Union (SRU) vice-president Jonathan Leow cautioned against heaping unrealistic expectations on the winger.

“Everyone’s pleased that Jay-Hykel is back playing the game,” said Leow. “But getting back on the field and playing in his first international tournament is just the first checkpoint.

“He’s obviously rusty after such a long time out and he’ll need to continue his hard work. However, we are working to ensure that he reaches his full potential, so we’re now progressively giving him more game time, but within reason.”