The Italian Men’s Artistic Gymnastics stint at the Universiade ended on a devastating note. Here is what happened: Lorenzo Bonicelli, 23, (Mercatorum University) went into the competition along with his squad, Niccolò Vannucchi (University of Bologna), and Riccardo Villa (Pegaso Telematic University), with the intention of winning. Bonicelli began with his routine on the floor exercise, and then in the second rotation, he showed his skills on the pommel horse. But in the third rotation, which was on the rings, he fell during his routine and suffered a neck injury. What followed changed everything for him, his team, and possibly his career…

Medics present at the venue got to work quickly as they carried off the gymnast on a stretcher. Bonicelli is known for completing one of the most risky dismounts in men’s still rings: A triple back, which requires him to complete three rotations before landing. But on Wednesday, the gymnast failed to pull it off and landed on his neck. Following the incident, Bonicelli’s teammates withdrew from the FISU Summer World University Games, which were held in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region. The competition had brought approximately 8,500 student-athletes together to compete in 18 different disciplines.

The next day, a FIG official revealed that the gymnast went through a near-immediate surgery. With regard to the same, more updates have now come. Steve Butcher, a member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s Men’s Technical Committee, added a Facebook post on July 24, captioned:

“Please keep Italian gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli (age 23) in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from a significant neck injury suffered on his Rings dismount at the World University Games. Several of you have asked me about his condition after seeing me judging as the Apparatus Supervisor on the Rings. Sorry, I could not respond sooner without confirmation. Lorenzo is in a medically induced coma after surgery last night. It will take 10 or more days to know his condition. The entire gymnastics family is pulling for Lorenzo’s full recovery!”

Neck and spinal injuries are a big risk in gymnastics. Injuries causing paralysis or death are rare, but history has shown us how devastating such incidents can be. For instance, back in 2019, Melanie Coleman, a college gymnast from Southern Connecticut State University, died from a spinal injury. It occurred after a routine exercise on the uneven bars.

If we go back to 1988, American gymnast Julissa Gomez was left paralyzed from a vaulting accident. Eventually, she passed away in 1991 because of complications from her injuries. Hence, the gymnastics community is busy praying for Bonicelli’s recovery.

Prayers flood in for gymnastics star Lorenzo Bonicelli

This isn’t the first time that Lorenzo Bonicelli has faced an injury. In July 2018, he sustained a leg injury that required surgery. However, the intensity this time is quite severe. Thus, fans mentioned: “😢 hoping for a full and speedy recovery . ❤️‍🩹” and “🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thinking of him and his loved ones at this difficult time.”

However, the Italian gymnast’s motto in life has been “Fight until the end,” and so the community hopes to see him put up a tough fight to recovery. That being said, it is too early to say anything. Gymnastics is a high-risk sport. Right from ACL tears to fractures and wrist sprains, these are the most common injuries that many incur in the sport. But there have been more severe cases like Nastia Liukin’s fall in 2012, when she fell during the 2012 Olympic trials, resulting in a concussion. But every time, the community has come forward to pray for these athletes. “Oh gosh! That’s scary!” reacted one fan upon watching the video.

Soviet gymnast Elena Mukhina had also suffered a neck injury while training for the now-banned Thomas salto. She broke her neck just two weeks before the opening of the 1980 Olympics, and that left her permanently quadriplegic. What’s worse is she had initially raised injury concerns with her coach, who dismissed it saying, “people like (her) don’t break their necks.” Mukhina eventually passed away in 2006. She was 46. “Praying for skilled medical team, strong body, loving community and full recovery.” and “Sorry to hear this. Keeping him (and his family) in our thoughts and prayers,” were some of the messages of love for the gymnast!

Fans and social media users are praying for Bonicelli’s improvement and eventual recovery. As of now, Bonicelli’s diagnosis is still pending. And Steve Butcher has given a ten-day timeline before we can receive further updates on the extent of the gymnast’s injuries.