One of Austria’s most promising judoka, heavyweight Stephan Hegyi suffered a cruciate ligament rupture in his left knee at the training camp in Nymburk in the Czech Republic and had to undergo an operation in Vienna this week.
The 23-year-old from Vienna will have to take a break of at least six months – i.e. he will be out of action for the European Championships in Sofia at the end of April, reports Judo Inside.
“The operation went well, Stephan is doing well given the circumstances. We wish him that he can make his comeback this year,” says ÖJV sports director Markus Moser.
“But of course the loss is bitter, he started the season very well and would have been a good candidate for a medal in Sofia,” said Moser.
The Olympic participant from Tokyo last took third place at the Grand Slam tournament in Tel Aviv in mid-February.