Olympic champion Bontus fights back: comeback after cruciate ligament tear!

Olympic champion Bontus fights back: comeback after cruciate ligament tear!

Hochrum, Österreich - Olympic champion Bontus recently announced that he wanted to be on the water again by the end of the year after he had suffered a cruciate ligament tear in his left knee on April 13, 2025. Immediate operation in Hochrum was necessary to treat the injury. Despite this setback, the healing course is promising, which Bontus primarily attributes to its good leg muscles. He is particularly relieved that he has no pain during rehabilitation.

his girlfriend, who works as a physiotherapist, supports him intensively in the recovery phase. In the first few weeks after the operation, effort construction and a lot of cycling are part of his rehabilitation plan. The athlete is confident that it is faster than expected to be fit again, also compared to its first injury in 2020, in which the inner ligament was also affected.

rehabilitation strategies and challenges

Bontus emphasizes that the time of his injury with regard to the upcoming summer games in 2028 in Los Angeles is easier to accept. He is planning a relaxed season 2023, with a stronger focus on 2024. However, the current situation also worries him because he cannot take part in competitions, especially not in the upcoming European Championship. The strengthening exercises on the stability of his knee are crucial because the knee has to work well and smoothly for quick reactions.

How experts on Knie-Marathon in the first time of rehabilitation often lose 40 to 50 percent of their muscle mass through immobility. In order to counteract this, a self -responsible training is important, since the support from health insurance companies is usually inadequate. Daily training during the first weeks after the operation can be crucial to avoid muscle breakdown.

recommended exercises for rehabilitation

The first two weeks after the operation are crucial for the rehabilitation success. Exercises that contribute to strengthening the thigh muscles and activating the leg flexibility are essential. These include:

• Thigh tense for knee stretching
• Lift the leg stretched
• heels glide
• leg stretched spray

An individual rehabilitation plan that also includes coordination training can maximize the success of the rehabilitation, according to the references to Fithelden .

With the prospect of being able to drive back with the board in November or December, Bontus sees the coming months as a valuable time that is also available for sponsorship dates that he could not perceive during a regular competition program. He is optimistic that he will not have a significant deficit compared to his European competitors.