On Wednesday morning the official outfitting for the European Youth Olympic Games in Banská Bystrica took place in the JUFA Hotel – Phyrn-Priel. The 17-year-old from Leibnitz, Lisa Tretnjak, was also there after a long injury break.
LEIBNITZ. A severe shoulder injury with a triple ligament tear in March seemed a participation of Lisa Tretnjak become a distant prospect at this important European youth tournament in Slovakia.
Big question mark
After an operation in March, it was not clear for a long time whether the Leibnitzer Judo-Ahtletin gets fit in time and can really tackle her first highlight of the season.
“As an athlete, you have a clear goal in mind and suddenly a big question mark appears. Normally you expect a break of five to six months – I’m glad that it went faster for me!” reports Tretnjak. The surprising and all the more gratifying EM bronze medal in July 2021 she also won after a shoulder injury.
The Big Dream
All the bigger is now after the official outfitting of the Austrian Olympic team the motivation of the likeable athlete. “It’s unbelievable that at the age of 17 I can already wear the Olympic rings on my chest. It is a great motivation for me in terms of my long-term goal, which Olympic Games 2028 in Los Angeles“. Lisa’s big dream is of course an Olympic medal.
The sport is practically in the cradle or on the mat of the former strong track and field athlete. Of the Lisa’s grandfather has the successful Leibniz association founded and brought the ambitious athlete to judo.
Her strong connection to Leibnitz is also a source of strength for Lisa. Her running lap often takes her to her favorite spot at the confluence of the Sulm and Kainach. There she gathers strength and energy that she can certainly use in the coming weeks.
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