“There was little choice: surgery or never do top-level sports again. Then the decision was quickly made, because I’m not ready to stop.” Loena Hendrickx had to call off her season
Loena Hendrickx is forced to call off her season.
original source: Sporza
The defending European champion Loena Hendrickx had to cancel the entire season. After withdrawing from the European Championships, she will definitely miss the World Championships too, as surgery is the only solution for her injured ankle. Here’s a translation of the comments posted on Sporza.
“My ankle is done,” Loena says. “It greatly limits me in my takeoff, preventing me from performing the most difficult jumps needed to compete at the top level.”
Hendrickx broke her ankle in 2019, and since then it has been “a weak spot,” her brother and coach Jorik Hendrickx also admits. “There is currently no fracture or crack visible, but the ligaments are damaged.”
“It hurts a lot not being able to defend my title at the European Championships, but I have to listen to my body,” said Loena.
Listening to her body and her doctors: surgery is the only solution. “There was little choice: it was that or never do top-level sports again. Then the decision was quickly made, because I’m not ready to stop.”
“I am far from ready to give up the sport. It’s been tough, I’ve shed many tears, but I am not finished yet,” says Loena. She will undergo surgery in mid-February. The World Figure Skating Championships will also come too soon, so she will have to rely on the performances of the other Belgians to secure a spot at the Winter Olympics.
“The focus now is on a quick recovery to be ready in time. There’s no point in pushing through to the World Championships – surgery is the only correct solution.”
Hendrickx is, however, “relieved” to finally have answers for her difficult season. “I had a hard time mentally, but now I have a solution and answers.”
“I now know that it wasn’t because of me. This is a new start, and I’m going all in.”
The European champion will still perform a show before undergoing surgery. “That’s a different level,” she says. “It’s important to emotionally wrap up beautifully and rediscover the passion.”
“With that fire, I will tackle my rehabilitation and aim to explode on the scene next season.”
Related topics: Loena Hendrickx
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