Weightlifter's Arm Snaps In Two Places While Attempting To Lift Personal Best
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Warning - Graphic content ahead.
A video captures the moment a French weightlifter's left arm snapped in two places during a lift at the European Weightlifting Championships.
Gaelle Nayo Ketchanke, 33, was attempting to lift 110kg - her personal best - in the women's 76kg category at the event in Batumi in Georgia.
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
It took her three attempts to try and lift the weight, but when she managed to straighten her arms on the third, one of them snapped under the immense weight.
Gaelle could be seen on the floor in agony as medics rushed to help.
The French European Weightlifting Championships team has confirmed the weightlifter broke her arm in two places during the horrific accident. Other reports suggest that she also suffered a dislocated elbow and Gaelle was taken to hospital for surgery.
While cameras stopped filming as soon as the accident occurred, Gaelle's cries could be heard in the background as it panned to her team watching on.
But despite the terrible accident, Gaelle picked up a bronze medal for her 103kg opener at the championships.
She took to Instagram shortly after having surgery to let people know how she was doing, with her arm wrapped up in a sling and a huge smile across her face.
Her post was written in French, roughly translating to: "I'm not leaving the European Championships in the best of circumstances, with a sudden elbow injury at 107kg after winning the bronze medal at 103kg.
"I've received an enormous amount of heartwarming messages and we are waiting for my return to France to do further tests."
Gaelle went on to thank her fellow sports team, adding: "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'll update you later"
Here's hoping Gaelle has a speedy recovery!