Shoulder injury forces Marie Muller to quit Olympic qualification

Almost a week after Marie Muller’s operation each judoka can understand the feeling of downgrading your future expectations. London’s number five of the 2012 Olympics experiences a dreadful Olympic cycle. The most important conclusion is that she won’t be able to qualify for Rio.

Muller on her facebook says: “I hadn’t felt so fit before for a long time. Even with some pain I could train and prepare towards the World Championships. And at the Grand Slam in Tyumen in July, I could win the match against the later number three at the World Championships. In fact I was back on track after my knee injury end 2013. But in fact the World Championships preparation was joint with a lot of pain. There was no training without pain and the shoulder injury was worse than foreseen. The scan wasn’t positive and it was up to me to decide I would continue this way with a risk of making it worse or listen to my body. The diagnose was not good. Perhaps I’ve abused my body with 8 severe injuries in 11 years. Now after my ninth operation we know my shoulder capsule was completely tore which will cost me about 8 months. I come to the conclusion that this injury decides about my career and obviously about the Olympic qualification.”

“Of course I can look back to great and successful career with highlights in London and Beijing. They give me spirit to comeback with an a healthy shoulder that works for 100% and perhaps next year I may be able to stand on the tatami again.”

“I will use the time to realise all of this, in this moment I don’t know what the future will bring but I’m happy to have so many lovely people around who have helped to support me at the toughest moments as an athlete.”