So You Think You Can Dance contestant Alex Wong won’t be taking the stage anytime soon, reports People.com.

On Thursday night Wong announced that he will be leaving the show and will be out for some time following a serious injury to his Achilles tendon.  He will have surgery on Tuesday followed by a long three months of rest before he can get back to dancing.

“I’ve had an amazing time and I can’t get that anywhere else,” he tells People.com.  “Not ever from day one did I ever think I was going for the gold.”

He said his goodbyes on the show and received a standing ovation from the judges, live audience, and likely teary-eyed fans watching from home.  With his incredible skill, Alex Wong was a favourite to win the competition, but unfortunately for him, someone else will take the title.

“Alex is such a gift,” says SYTYCD judge Mia Michaels. “He is one of the greatest dancers, if not the greatest dancer that has ever come through our stage.”

This may not be the last we see of Alex, though.  He tells People.com that “It’s a lot to give up but I would love to be back,” continuing, “I haven’t finished my journey. I have so much more to learn.”