“She had so many concerns about her ankle. The fact that she delivered this performance at exactly the right moment should not be underestimated. It’s been incredibly tough for her.” Former figure skater Katrien Pauwels on Loena Hendrickx
Loena Hendrickx Secures Olympic Spot
original source: Sporza dd. September 21st 2025
Loena Hendrickx has made a triumphant comeback by securing her spot for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina with a stellar performance at the Olympic qualifying tournament. Former figure skater Katrien Pauwels praises Hendrickx’s world-class effort and looks ahead with optimism. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Sporza.
Loena Hendrickx seized her final opportunity for Olympic qualification in Beijing, earning a spot on the podium with a strong third-place finish. She successfully secured her place in Milan-Cortina by finishing comfortably within the required top five.
“I’m so positive and so happy for her,” said Pauwels. “It was a fantastic comeback. Her free skate was incredible, especially after such a long time away from competition. To see her stand there again, performing at a truly world-class level, is remarkable.”
Hendrickx’s return came after months of dealing with ligament problems in her ankle, which had kept her off the ice for an extended period. Yet, Pauwels was amazed by how little the injury showed in her performance.
“You could hardly tell she had been injured,” Pauwels observed. “She was entirely herself again, delivering a beautiful program with stunning choreography and strong jumps. It was just exquisite – that’s the kind of world-class figure skating that commands respect.”
Pauwels emphasized the significance of Hendrickx’s achievement, given the mental and physical toll of her recovery: “She had so many concerns about her ankle. The fact that she delivered this performance at exactly the right moment should not be underestimated. It’s been incredibly tough for her, both mentally and physically, and that’s why she was so emotional afterward. This success will give her a huge boost in confidence and motivation.”
With the Olympics on the horizon, Pauwels believes Hendrickx’s team is well-equipped to support her preparations: “I have full confidence in her entourage. She has excellent support from her brother, her choreographer, her physiotherapist, and even in mental coaching. Everything seems well-organized.”
Pauwels is optimistic about Hendrickx’s ability to build on this achievement: “What we’ve seen here gives her the foundation to prepare as she wants and needs, without holding anything back. This performance will be her motivation for the coming months, as well as proof to herself that she can do it and show up when it matters most. Once again, that’s world-class.”
At the 2018 Winter Olympics, Hendrickx finished eighth. This time, expectations are high but measured. Pauwels advises caution when making predictions: “I think it’s too early to make bold statements. We should wait and see how the season unfolds, especially with the upcoming Grand Prix events. Only then will we have a better sense of the competition.”
For Pauwels, the focus should be on Hendrickx maximizing her potential: “She needs to aim for her personal best. Of course, we’re all hoping for the best outcome. But in those four minutes, everything has to come together. I wish every athlete the chance to enjoy those few minutes and give it their all, with a great result in the end. Today, Loena showed she can do just that.”
Related topics: Loena Hendrickx
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