BTN News: Spain is reeling from the shocking news: Carolina Marín, the celebrated badminton player from Huelva, has been forced to withdraw from the semifinal match due to a knee injury. This is the same knee where she suffered a torn ACL back in 2019, making the incident even more heart-wrenching for her fans and supporters.
Marín had been dominating the match up until the injury. She secured the first set by going on the offensive and pulling away from her opponent, China’s Bing Jiao He. She was leading 10-6 in the second set when disaster struck.
In a moment that silenced the crowd, Marín fell to the ground after a misstep on her right leg. Her cries of pain were a grim indication of the severity of the injury. Despite the alarming scene, hope briefly resurfaced when Marín stood up and attempted to continue playing with a knee brace. She tried to push through the pain for a few more points but quickly realized that she could not bend her knee properly. This led to her difficult but necessary decision to retire from the match.
Marín’s sportsmanship shone through even in this painful moment. According to Bing Jiao He, after deciding to leave the game, Marín encouraged her to keep fighting for the gold. This gesture highlights Marín’s character and determination, both on and off the court.
Visibly moved, Bing Jiao He expressed her sorrow in the mixed zone after the match. “I am very sad about what happened,” she said. “She might have been injured already but continued until now. She has recovered from injuries twice before. I hope she can recover from this one and return to play.”
Bing Jiao He shared that Marín approached her at the end of the match, urging her to maintain her spirit. “So I will give my best,” the Chinese athlete declared.
Carolina Marín’s unexpected withdrawal is a significant blow to her and her supporters. Yet, her resilience and encouragement to her opponent speak volumes about her character. The sports world will undoubtedly be watching closely, hoping for another remarkable comeback from this exceptional athlete.
