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“I unfortunately sustained a concussion in November 2019 in the week leading up to the masters tournament. I was told I couldn’t fly to China and compete which was devastating. In the weeks following I started to struggle with delayed concussion symptoms that stayed persistent for some months. I struggled to get treatment when the pandemic hit and I regressed in my return when elite sport got the green light to return.
After extensive rehab with a specialist physio and also seeing a neurologist to see how I could get better. It was after a consultation in November 2020 that I decided it would be too risky to rush back to try and be ready for the Games. I decided to put my health and well-being first. This decision came with a heavy heart as I knew I was likely to qualify for Tokyo. Making that decision is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I know now with the games just a few weeks away and I’ve only just started to feel normal again that this was the right decision to make. It’s amazing that I did qualify even though the last time I competed in an Olympic qualification event was Oct. 2019 where I won gold in the Brasilia grand slam.
I am currently pregnant with my first child and I hope to return to the sport, injury permitting in the new year. I will aim to qualify for my 3rd Olympics in Paris 2024.”
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Sam Mellish © 2021
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www.sammellish.com
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PROJECT - The Leap Year
“I unfortunately sustained a concussion in November 2019 in the week leading up to the masters tournament. I was told I couldn’t fly to China and compete which was devastating. In the weeks following I started to struggle with delayed concussion symptoms that stayed persistent for some months. I struggled to get treatment when the pandemic hit and I regressed in my return when elite sport got the green light to return.<br /> After extensive rehab with a specialist physio and also seeing a neurologist to see how I could get better. It was after a consultation in November 2020 that I decided it would be too risky to rush back to try and be ready for the Games. I decided to put my health and well-being first. This decision came with a heavy heart as I knew I was likely to qualify for Tokyo. Making that decision is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I know now with the games just a few weeks away and I’ve only just started to feel normal again that this was the right decision to make. It’s amazing that I did qualify even though the last time I competed in an Olympic qualification event was Oct. 2019 where I won gold in the Brasilia grand slam.<br /> I am currently pregnant with my first child and I hope to return to the sport, injury permitting in the new year. I will aim to qualify for my 3rd Olympics in Paris 2024.”