@SamuHernando/TwitterFootage has emerged which shows a weightlifter’s arm snapping in two places as she attempted a 110kg snatch.
30-year-old French weightlifter Gaelle Nayo Ketchanke had been representing France at the European Weightlifting Championships in Batumi, Georgia, as a competitor in the women’s 76kg category.
Ketchanke had tried and failed twice to lift the 110kg bar, and suffered the horrifying injury upon her third attempt.
The gruesome moment was broadcast through a live stream by the European Weightlifting Federation, with the footage having since gone viral.
Impactante lesión de Gaelle Nayo Ketchanke en el campeonato de Europa de halterofilia. Codo izquierdo. #Halterofilia pic.twitter.com/JCAqhtwtUQ
— Samuel Hernando (@SamuHernando) April 11, 2019
Ketchanke was able to pick up the weight without visible difficulty, lifting it up above her head. The trouble began when she tried to complete the move.
The French competitor strained to keep the heavy bar in the air, her left forearm could be seen buckling under the weight as she tried to slip it behind her back.
Instead, the bar collapsed sickeningly upon her body and Ketchanke fell to the floor. Face contorted with agony, she could be heard letting out a blood curdling scream as members of the audience shouted out with horror.
All my thoughts and prayers for a fighter, Gaëlle Nayo-Ketchanke, and I wish her to have a quick and good recovery. 🙏 https://t.co/u4QCZJKGsi
— Tenistabiker (@tenistabiker) April 11, 2019
As reported by Yahoo Sport, Ketchanke was taken away on a stretcher by medics.
Following reports from the French team, it is understood that Ketchanke has suffered a broken arm in two places, and there are also unconfirmed reports that she has suffered from a dislocated elbow.
A silver medal winner at the 2018 European Championships in Romania, the weightlifter was reportedly rushed to hospital to undergo immediate surgery.
Writing about her injuries on Instagram, Ketchanke said:
I’m coming out of these European Championships not in the best of ways, with a 107kg wrenching elbow injury after winning the bronze medal at 103kg.
I received a lot of support messages that made me feel good and we are waiting for my return to France to do further tests.
I want to thank the medical and technical staff of the Federation who responded very quickly and who are by my side. my coaches and my colleagues from the France team. I will come back to you for news …
Fans have offered her messages of support and sympathy, while congratulating the strong-woman on receiving a bronze medal at 103kg.
One person said, ‘Recover soon queen!! Congrats on the bronze!’ while another said, ‘You’re amazing!!’
We wish Gaelle Nayo Ketchanke a full recovery.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via [email protected]
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.