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Gymnast Undergoes Surgery On Both Legs After Horror Accident

Gymnast Undergoes Surgery On Both Legs After Horror Accident

Her coach has confirmed the extent of her injuries after her horrific accident.

Rachel Andrews

Rachel Andrews

The gymnast who dislocated both her knees during a floor routine has undergone surgery, her coach confirmed.

Footage captured Auburn University gymnast Samantha Cerio attempting a handspring double front flip with a blind landing, but the 22-year-old came up short, buckling both her legs backwards unnaturally.

You can watch her horror accident at 39 minutes into this video:

Samantha - who is due to marry in two months time - was competing at the Baton Rouge Regional in Louisiana, an event on the National Collegiate Athletic Association calendar.

The aerospace engineer student's coach, Jeff Graba, has now posted a short statement to social media, confirming the extent of her injuries.

As a result of the gymnastics career-ending accident, Sam suffered two dislocated knees and multiple torn ligaments. He added that his student would be undergoing surgery yesterday afternoon (Monday, 8th April).

"Sam is a fighter and is in great spirits," Graba added in the statement. "We couldn't have a better leader for this team."

"It was pretty tough to watch," Graba added shortly after the injury. "She's a trooper. The last thing she said was, 'Go help the girls.' The girls rallied around her. They're doing this for her right now."

Sam, who was named SEC co-scholar athlete of the year, has confirmed that she won't return to gymnastics after the horrific accident.

Writing on Instagram, she said: "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."

The university's president, F. King Alexander, has also paid a visit to the student in hospital, writing on Twitter: "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."

Here's hoping Sam has a speedy recovery!

Featured Image Credit: Twitter

Topics: Life News, Real