Gymnast Samantha Cerio Gets Surgery After Horrific Knee Dislocation
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The video of gymnast Samantha Cerio dislocating both knees while performing a routine has been the most grisly thing the internet has thrown us recently - and, as you know, the internet has a lot of gruesomeness at the best of times, so that just proves how stomach turning this is.
Just in case you really need us to spell this out for you, this one really is as grim as you'd imagine, so consider yourselves warned - you'll need to skip to the 39 minute mark, which is when her routine begins.
Cerio, an Auburn University gymnast in the States, suffered the horrific injuries during the Baton Rouge Regional, an event on the National Collegiate Athletic Association calendar.
22-year-old Cerio, who is due to get married in two months, was attempting her first go at a handspring double front flip with a blind landing, but came up just short and sent both her legs bending backwards unnaturally. OUCH.
Cerio's coach, Jeff Graba, confirmed she had suffered two dislocated knees and multiple torn ligaments in both knees, also saying she would be undergoing surgery on Monday afternoon.
- Coach Jeff Graba (@CoachJeffGraba) April 8, 2019
"Sam is a fighter and is in great spirits," Graba added.
"We couldn't have a better leader for this team."
I had the opportunity to visit @AuburnGym's @sam_cerio this weekend. What a wonderful, inspiring young lady. I have no doubt she will overcome this injury and go on to do amazing things. pic.twitter.com/K3l79QYNDZ
- F. King Alexander (@lsuprez) April 8, 2019
Louisiania State University President F. King Alexander has since also tweeted a photo of him on Monday visiting Cerio in hospital, writing: "I had the opportunity to visit @AuburnGym's @sam_cerio this weekend. What a wonderful, inspiring young lady. I have no doubt she will overcome this injury and go on to do amazing things."
Cerio has also taken to Instagram to announce that her gymnastic pursuits are officially over - which is understandable, really.
She wrote: "Friday night was my final night as a gymnast. After 18 years I am hanging up my grips and leaving the chalk behind. I couldn't be prouder of the person that gymnastics has made me to become.
"It's taught me hard work, humility, integrity, and dedication, just to name a few. It's given me challenges and road blocks that I would have never imagined that has tested who I am as a person. It may not have ended the way I had planned, but nothing ever goes as planned.
"Thank you Auburn family for giving me a home and a chance to continue doing the sport that will always be my first love. I am honored to have had the privilege to represent the navy and orange AU for the past 4 years with my team by my side.
"Thank you for letting me share my passion with you. Thank you for letting me be a part of something bigger than myself."
Here's hoping for a speedy recovery to Samantha!
