“I’m incredibly proud and happy. It’s the first time I’ve experienced this level of pressure because it was my last chance, and I’ve never had to face that before.” Loena Hendrickx on securing second Olympic spot for Belgium
Loena Hendrickx Shines Again: Secures Olympic Spot After Ankle Surgery
original source: Sporza dd. September 20th 2025
After recovering from ankle surgery, Belgian figure skater Loena Hendrickx secured her spot for the Winter Olympics in her first competition in a year, overcoming immense pressure and demonstrating resilience as she eyes a strong finish to her career. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Sporza.
Loena Hendrickx has made a triumphant return to competition, seizing her last opportunity to qualify for the Winter Olympics in Milan. This achievement comes just seven months after undergoing ankle surgery. “I’ve never had to deal with so much pressure before,” Hendrickx shared.
“Seven months ago, I never would have thought this was possible,” Hendrickx said with a smile. “I knew there was a chance, but I didn’t know how things would unfold. Ankle surgery isn’t something minor. It’s unbelievable that I’ve returned to this level so quickly and had to peak so early in the season.”
This early peak was crucial, as this competition in China marked her final chance for Olympic qualification. “It feels incredible. I came here with the mindset that I was ready. I just had to prove it.”
The emotional release after her free skate was enormous for Hendrickx. “I’m incredibly proud and happy. It’s the first time I’ve experienced this level of pressure because it was my last chance, and I’ve never had to face that before.”
This event was Hendrickx’s first competition in a year, and she admitted it brought significant stress, particularly during the short program. She felt more confident by the free skate, having already demonstrated in practice that she could handle the challenges.
“In practice, I’ve shown I can deliver, but I know I can still do better. I’d rate my performance here at 80% of my potential on practice days, it’s closer to 95%. This is a good stepping stone for the rest of the season.”
Hendrickx’s triumphant performance is all the more inspiring considering the challenges she faced before her surgery. She described being in a “very dark place” during that time.
“I was at a loss when we didn’t know what was wrong with my ankle. I started thinking it was my mental state, that I was too old and done with the sport.”
When doctors told her surgery was necessary, it gave her new hope: “Once I knew my ankle wasn’t functioning and surgery was needed, I realized this was my chance to keep performing at the highest level.”
Thanks to Hendrickx’s efforts, Belgium will have two female figure skaters at the Olympics in Milan. “The goal was to secure that extra spot for Belgium. It feels amazing to have done it myself. There’s still room for improvement, but the most important thing is that I’m here, and I’m loving what I do.”
For Loena Hendrickx, the season has started on a high note, and she’s setting her sights on finishing it just as strongly at the Olympics. As for her future, she remains undecided:
“I want to end on a high, so retiring might be the right choice. I’ll be 26 then, and it all depends on how my body feels. It’s possible that my body will have reached its limit.”
Related topics: Loena Hendrickx
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