23-year-old Lorenzo Bonicelli, a gymnast known more for his quiet determination than outward theatrics, attempted one of the most dangerous dismounts in men’s artistic gymnastics. It was a routine he had trained for with precision and repetition. But on July 23, at the FISU Summer World University Games in Essen, Germany, he landed short on a triple backflip from the rings and came down directly on his neck… And that minute mistake brought his life to a standstill.

He was stretchered off the floor, rushed to the hospital, and placed in a medically induced coma after emergency surgery. His Italian teammates, Niccolò Vannucchi and Riccardo Villa, visibly shaken, immediately withdrew from the competition. Here’s all we know about Lorenzo Bonicelli and the incident.

Who is Lorenzo Bonicelli?

Born in Lecco, a town tucked into the foothills north of Milan, Lorenzo Bonicelli grew up in Abbadia Lariana—a lakeside commune that mirrors the discipline and stillness required in his sport. He trains at the Ghislanzoni GAL club, one of Italy’s well-respected gymnastics institutions. Outside the gym, Bonicelli is enrolled in Economics at the University Mercatorum, managing both his studies and training schedule with the kind of discipline few young adults his age are expected to maintain.

Among peers and coaches, he has developed a reputation for his measured work ethic and preference for execution over spectacle. Though never one to chase headlines, Bonicelli had quietly worked his way into Italy’s core senior team—a path carved through years of quiet grind rather than social media visibility.

Lorenzo Bonicelli’s gymnastics career and background

Bonicelli’s international journey began at just 15 when he competed at the Austrian Future Cup in 2017. His presence on that roster marked the start of a steady climb through the junior ranks. In 2019, he helped Italy secure a bronze medal at the inaugural Junior World Championships in Györ, Hungary. It was a key moment that signaled his potential as a future senior anchor.

His domestic performances also gained traction. In 2023, Bonicelli finished fourth in the all-around at the Italian National Championships, notching top marks in execution and difficulty across multiple events. That same year, he earned a spot on Italy’s squad for the World Championships in Antwerp, where he played a role in helping the Italian team qualify for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Although not the most vocal athlete, Bonicelli had built a résumé that did the talking for him.

How did Lorenzo Bonicelli’s accident happen at the World University Games?

The men’s team event at the 2025 FISU Summer Games was always going to be intense. With over 8,500 athletes and officials in attendance, the stakes were high, and for Bonicelli, the World University Games represented an essential checkpoint toward making the roster for the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta. Italy began its rotation on the floor and pommel horse. It was during the third rotation, on the still rings, that the situation took a devastating turn.

Bonicelli attempted a triple backflip dismount, one of the most complex landings in men’s gymnastics. It requires the athlete to rotate three full times in mid-air before sticking the landing. It is unforgiving by nature, allowing no room for hesitation. A mistimed release—off by even 80 milliseconds can result in disaster. Bonicelli, tragically, did not complete the final rotation and landed on the back of his neck. Medical personnel rushed to his aid. He remained conscious immediately after but was immobilized and taken out of the arena on a stretcher. Later that evening, he underwent surgery on his cervical vertebrae at a university hospital in Germany. He is currently in a medically induced coma, with the next ten days considered critical in determining the extent of the injury and potential for recovery.

The fall underscored what insiders already know: Gymnastics is not merely artistic but is also extremely dangerous. Though instances of life-altering injuries remain rare, they are never entirely absent from the sport. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine has noted that neck and spine injuries in gymnastics continue to be under-analyzed. Recent studies have revealed that athletes often have less than 0.085 seconds between a safe dismount and major injury.

The gymnastics community has seen similar tragedies in the past. Think about Julissa Gomez’s vaulting accident in 1988 or Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina’s career-ending fall in 1980. The sport’s most dangerous maneuvers have historically demanded not just technical skill but also calculated restraint. Bonicelli, unfortunately, fell victim to the narrowest of miscalculations.

Following the accident, the Italian Gymnastics Federation issued a statement confirming the incident and expressing full support for Bonicelli and his family. “While waiting for the official medical bulletins, the FGI is all tight to Lorenzo, wishing him a speedy recovery. Come on Bonni!” Additionally, Steve Butcher, a member of the FIG Men’s Technical Committee who was present as Apparatus Supervisor on rings, later confirmed that Bonicelli’s condition would remain uncertain for at least ten more days.

While the Italian gymnastics community remains in collective pause, Bonicelli’s fight continues behind hospital walls. Updates remain sparse by design, as medical teams observe post-surgical progress. His Instagram bio offers only four words, but they now carry immeasurable weight: “Fight until the end.” As the sport holds its breath, it is not just Italy that waits. Gymnasts, coaches, and fans across continents have begun sharing messages of support—hoping this promising athlete, who asked for no spotlight, can one day return to the world he so diligently trained for.