"A week has passed since I took new steps in my life. Truly new steps, and with new legs…"
Idman.biz reports that Anna Bashta, a fencer for the Azerbaijan national team, wrote this in her social media post. She revealed that, on her journey to the Paris Olympics, she suffered a serious injury, one that could have ended her career:
"Competing in the Games with such an injury was a very risky decision. The doctors told me it could be my last competition. I was terrified to step into the gym, to pick up the sword, to put on the mask again. My mask turned into a sponge with my tears. Fear and half a year of pain followed me every moment. When I got injured, I dreaded hearing the doctor say, 'You can park your wheelchair anywhere.' Even with my constant parking fines, that wouldn’t have been the kind of news I wanted to hear. A wheelchair, crutches, tears, disappointments—but now, I’m overwhelmed with joy knowing that I can walk without tears and wear the mask again."
Bashta, who competed in the sabre event in Paris, lost to Ukrainian athlete Olga Kharlan with a score of 6:15 in the match to advance to the quarterfinals in the women's individual competition.
Idma.biz
