Shock for the German gymnastics camp shortly before the start of the 2023 World Championships in Antwerp (September 30th to October 8th): veteran Andreas Toba injured his knee during training and will be out of the title fights.
The 32-year-old, who performs gymnastics for Schwäbisch Gmünd, sustained the yet-to-be-diagnosed injury while doing an acrobatic track on the floor on Wednesday (September 27th). After a stress test the next day, men’s head coach Valeri Belenki, in consultation with team doctor Dr. Hans-Peter Borschert decided to take Toba out of the starting lineup. Nick Klessing, who was intended as a reserve gymnast, is now replacing him.
Andreas Toba: “We have a common goal”
“I’ll definitely stay here and support the team as best I can. We have a common goal: We all want to go to the games. We want to get the team place,” said Toba in an initial reaction.
Men’s head coach Valeri Belenki: “Not an easy situation”
For the German men and women, the World Cup is also about tickets for the Olympic team competition. “This is of course not an easy situation just before the start of the World Championships, but we will make the best of it. Nick is an experienced gymnast, I am sure he will help the team,” explained Belenki.
To do this, the two German teams must each achieve at least twelfth place in the qualification. In addition to the men, the DTB women also have to contend with injury concerns. Shortly before leaving for the World Cup, Emma Malewski suffered a foot injury, and a few weeks before, Elisabeth Seitz suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon.
