Watch: 19-Year-Old Rising Gymnast’s Inspiring Comeback Following Brutal Injury at World Artistic Championships

Published 11/20/2023, 5:50 AM EST

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Artistic gymnastics is riddled with painful injuries. One such notable instance involved Great Britain’s Jessica Gadirova. She faced a concerning setback causing her to withdraw from the remaining World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. The gymnast revealed she suffered a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament injury during the warm-up session.

The 19-year-old remarked that she is expecting a “tough and long journey ahead.” Gadirova is now facing an uphill battle after the full-tear ACL injury to be fit for Paris 2024. Meanwhile, she is keeping her fans posted about her gradual road to recovery, while she is at Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU). Let’s take a look as she pushes herself with grit and determination across week 2.

Gadirova shares IRU Week 2 Recap battling through ACL injury

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Gadirova took to her Instagram handle to post her phenomenal progress as she seeks to continuously push herself through the pain. Typically, torn ACL takes between six and 12 months for full recovery. Gadirova has braced herself for the journey, giving a look into the ongoing battle captioning the post with, “IRU Week 2 Recap.” It includes a range of activities, involving trunk sessions, weight lifting, and swimming, among others.

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The video largely features strength and conditioning training to improve mobility and stability. Gadirova focused on her limbs, upper body, core, and legs. She also did a handstand, pull-up, and more at the IRU located at Bisham Abbey National Sports Center. Gadirova is not ready to give up, and the young prodigy is keen to prove herself as a phoenix rising from the ashes.

The sudden withdrawal came as a shock to fans. However, later when Gadirova confirmed the extent of her injury, fans across the world sent in best wishes to the artistic gymnasts. Gadirova acknowledged their heartfelt wishes, writing “I would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and love.”

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Gadirova pushes herself beyond her comfort zone to learn and grow

Gadirova initially intended to keep the recovery videos as personal footage. However, she later decided to post it on her social media page. While at a glance, the video highlights the positive aspects of her rehab journey, she also took the courage to talk about her struggles and frustration.

In a short note featured in the week 2 video, Gadirova mentioned, “I’m trying to work on my flexion and sit back on my heels but it still hurts and feels uncomfortable. However, I know I have to go outside my comfort zone and feel this discomfort if I want to progress and get this back!” Furthermore, she adds, “It’s harder to do but it’s okay to feel frustration and disappointment, it’s how we learn and grow.”

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Gadirova is truly one of the most talented and resilient gymnasts of present times. While the recovery timeline is full of uncertainties, she is willing to give her best.

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Written by:

Shivangi Agrawal

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Edited by:

Suman Varandani