Netteb 'Greatly Motivated' To Return From Knee Injury
Written by John Crumlish	for International Gymnast Magazine | Thursday, 09 January 2014 23:50
Recovering from the knee injury she suffered in the vault final at last fall's world championships, Dutch gymnast Chantysha Netteb told IG she is gaining strength and anticipates full recovery.
"My rehabilitation is going well," said Netteb, who tore her right ACL tear and damaged her meniscus in the vault final at the worlds in Antwerp in October. "I have intensive physical therapy for my knee (to improve) range of motion and strength of the specific part of the upper leg muscle, and coordination training. Beside this, I do some personal training for my arms, shoulders, back and abdominal muscles."
Netteb after injuring her knee at the 2013 Worlds in Antwerp
Netteb, who also made the vault final at last spring's European championships in Moscow, credits her optimism to her support team members. They include her mother and other relatives, friends, coach Katarina Sarisska, sports physician Liesbeth Lim and physical therapists.
"The doctors told me that it might take about 12 months for a full 100 percent recovery and take part in competitions, especially for my specialization on vault," Netteb said.
Despite being away from competition since October, Netteb remains in the public eye. On Dec. 19, 2013, she was named Sportswoman 2013 in Kennemerland, Haarlem, where her club, Bato Haarlem, is located. Netteb was presented with the Pim Mulier Award, named for one of the founders of modern sports in the Netherlands, at the Topsport Gala in Kennemerland.
"I was awarded the title because I won the Dutch championship on bars and also managed to make it to the vault finals at the European and world championships in my first senior year," Netteb said. "I was named Sporting Talent of 2012 in Kennemerland, Haarlem, and did not expect to become Sportswoman immediately the year after, because it never happened before. But I was very pleased when I was given the award and I am honored that I've won."
Netteb said she views her injury from a positive perspective, rather than a career-threatening setback.
"Through the years you constantly prepare yourself for the next competition," she said. "I noticed that this brief interruption has helped me to look back at my gymnastics performances and victories in a different way. It makes me enjoy my previous experiences in a different perspective, and come to appreciate them more than before."
Netteb said she views her injury and subsequent recovery process as trials she is determined to face and overcome.
"It is unfortunate when one's gymnastics career has to be interrupted in a way like this," she said. "I have got to be positive. I am motivated and very encouraged, especially the way my rehabilitation is going. I see it as a challenge, just as I have seen every gymnastics season as a challenge."
Although Netteb's injury has temporarily restricted her gymnastics training to only uneven bars, she said she remains focused on her long-term goal.
"I will definitely work on my upper-body strength, and I think this injury can help me to improve me on bars, since this will be the only apparatus that I can do now," she told IG. "It will certainly help me to work on my patience, and also put it to the test. My ultimate goal is the 2016 Olympics in Rio. With that in mind, I am greatly motivated."
International Gymnast magazine's recent coverage of Dutch gymnasts includes:
"Miracles Do Happen" – Imke Glas profile (May 2008)
"Fresh Start" - Loes Linders profile (April 2006)
Tess Moonen on cover photo collage (July/August 2010)
"Power Trip" - Yuri van Gelder profile (January/February 2009)
Yuri van Gelder two-page center poster (June 2008)
"Just Verdict" - Céline van Gerner interview (July/August 2012)
"Ready to Rise for the Netherlands" – Noel van Klaveren profile (June 2013)
Gabriella Wammes profile (October 2009)
"Comebacks Complete" - Jeffrey Wammes/Verona van de Leur profile (September 2007)
"Calculated Risk" – Lichelle Wong profile (May 2010)
"Perseverance Pays Off" – Lichelle Wong profile (July/August 2007)
"The Flying Dutchman" – Epke Zonderland interview (May 2010)
To subscribe or order back issues, click here.
Epke Zonderland: 'It's A Special Year For Me' (January 11, 2019)
Sanna Veerman: 'Small Details Make The Difference' (January 7, 2019)
Volleman: 'It's Amazing To Be So Close' (December 11, 2018)
Vera van Pol: 'We Do Hard Skills In A Creative Way' (November 29, 2018)
Van Gerner: 'I Just Couldn't Let Go Of Gymnastics' (November 30, 2017)
Rijken: 'I'll Need To Keep Pushing Myself' (August 29, 2017)
Volleman Shows 'New Me' Through 2017 Successes (June 26, 2017)
Dutch Expel Van Gelder from Olympics (August 8, 2016)
Coach, Commentator Mitch Fenner Dies at 70 (July 4, 2016)
Thorsdottir: 'I Do It With All My Heart' (May 9, 2016)
IG Interview: Annabelle Schmidt (Netherlands) (February 2, 2015)
Dutch Gymnast Ruikes Revels in 2014 Success (December 26, 2014)
IG Online Interview: Céline van Gerner (September 19, 2014)
IG Online Interview: Lieke and Sanne Wevers (Netherlands) (May 12, 2014)
Mixed Emotions for Dutch Coach after Antwerp (October 9, 2013)
Schmidt Set For Steady Results At Worlds (June 24, 2013)
Van Pol, Schmidt Win Dutch Championships (June 16, 2013)
Netteb Hopes to Vault Past Injury to World Final (June 7, 2013)