Wrestling king Sempach also injured his ankle: ‘Wendy is an extremely hard worker’

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It is May 23, 2015. The Oberaargauischen in Grasswil BE is in fifth gear. Matthias Sempach (37) competes with Reto Schmid from the Bernese Oberland to take part in the final course. Then it happens. The swinging king tips over, stays down and has to be carried through the sawdust. The diagnosis is brutal: ankle sprain with multiple torn ligaments on the inside of the ankle and between the tibia and fibula. His season ended prematurely.

Ten years have passed since then. Sempach resigned long ago. And yet these memories came back to the 37-year-old SRF wrestling expert last Tuesday. “When I heard that Wendy Holdener had broken her ankle during a fall during training, I could sympathize with her. I just tried to see the positive at the time and was happy that I hadn’t been hit in the knee, that would have been even worse. But I had to work long hours in rehab. I had to struggle the longest to get my old mobility back.”

“I lost all my muscle strength”

Sempach survived the operation without any problems. This is also the case with Wendy Holdener (30), she was treated in the Hirslanden Clinic by Dr. Kohl operated. “Everything went well. “Wendy is already looking ahead,” says Alpin director Hans Flatscher.

Holdener must be patient now; she is not allowed to put weight on her ankle for eight weeks – a return this World Cup winter seems unlikely. Sempach: “I had to do a new construction because I had lost all the muscle strength in my leg. Wendy will miss training.”

Full commitment in the Super 10 fight

Sempach is a big ski fan. He is happy to be present at the traditional season opener in Sölden (Austria). And the Lauberhorn weekend is marked red on the farmers’ calendar for the first time. He knows Holdener from their days together in the Magglingen BE sports center, but also from the Super 10 battle in the Hallenstadion.

“I would have liked to have Wendy on my team. Her energy was incredible – she was so intense it was like she was doing a slalom. I have no doubt that Wendy will do everything she can to get back on skis as soon as possible. Not only is she an excellent technician, but she is also an incredibly hard worker. I wish her only the best and lots of positive energy on this journey.”

Nef: “Wendy will be completely ready”

Another Swiss sports legend is also convinced that the Schwyzer native will return to the top: Sonja Nef (51). The 2001 world champion in giant slalom says: “An injury is never fun. But I think Wendy was lucky with adversity. She did not suffer a serious knee injury or a broken tibia or fibula, which is common in the ski circus.

Nef sees another positive aspect. “2024 is not an Olympic or World Cup year, it’s just about the World Cup. The break is tough, but I am convinced that Wendy will be completely ready again next winter at the latest.

Source : Blick