“She’s simply the best – she still has that incredible talent and radiant presence on the ice. The only question is: how much does her recovery allow her to showcase that now?” Belgian commentator Inge Van Meensel on Loena Hendrickx
Loena Hendrickx eyes last chance for Olympic Qualification
original source: Sporza dd. September 18th 2025
Belgian figure skating commentator Inge Van Meensel is optimistic about Loena Hendrickx’s chances of securing an Olympic spot at the qualifying tournament in Beijing, despite concerns about her recovery from an ankle surgery earlier this year. Here’s a translation of Belgian journalist comments posted on Sporza.
Loena Hendrickx will compete on Friday and Saturday in Beijing, aiming to secure one of the five remaining spots for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. After missing the World Championships earlier this year due to ankle surgery, Hendrickx now has an opportunity to reclaim her place on the Olympic stage in China.
“Loena is the top favorite,” said Sporza journalist and figure skating commentator Inge Van Meensel. “She holds the highest personal best score among all participants. Intrinsically, she’s simply the best – she still has that incredible talent and radiant presence on the ice. The only question is: how much does her recovery allow her to showcase that now?”
Hendrickx invited the media to observe her training two months ago, leaving a strong impression. “She was already brimming with confidence. Watching her skate, I thought, ‘Wow, she’s further along than I expected.’ Since then, they’ve kept her shielded from public view, allowing her to prepare quietly for this tournament. It’s still a bit of a mystery where her current level is,” Van Meensel noted.
Hendrickx has struggled with stress-induced mistakes in the past, making mental control a key focus for her. “The big question is: how nervous will she be, and how well can she manage her nerves? That will play an important role, but she’s worked on this,” said Van Meensel.
Hendrickx faces tough competition, including Georgian skater Anastasia Gubanova, the 2023 European Champion, and Russia’s Adeliia Petrosian, a rising star performing under a neutral flag.
However, Van Meensel pointed out that Petrosian is making her senior debut and still needs to prove herself under pressure. Gubanova, meanwhile, struggled significantly at last season’s World Championships after her European title. “She completely crumbled at Worlds—she clearly couldn’t handle the pressure of her European success.”
“If both Petrosian and Gubanova outperform Hendrickx, there are still three more spots left,” explained Van Meensel. “The short program on Friday will be a good gauge of where everyone stands. It’s the first competition of the season, so none of the skaters – not even Loena – are in peak competition rhythm yet.”
Van Meensel remains confident that Hendrickx, who is aiming for her third Olympic appearance, has what it takes to secure her ticket to Milan. “She radiates confidence, and her personal life is going well—a contrast to previous struggles. She has been preparing quietly and seems ready. An Olympic Games without Loena? I can’t imagine that.”
Related topics: Loena Hendrickx
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