EXCLUSIVE: The THREE hour knee operation Robbie Grabarz underwent to save career
OLYMPIC bronze medallist Robbie Grabarz needed a three hour operation on his knee to save his career.
Robbie Grabarz had a three-hour operation
High jumper Grabarz, 27, had already been struggling with a knee problem for over a year when he pulled out of all competition last summer, missing the Commonwealth Games and the defence of his European title.
He was booked in for a tendon operation that was scheduled to take an hour- but the surgeon found more damage.
“It was due to be an hour for them to have a look at the tendon,” said Grabarz.
“But the operation took three hours. They found all sorts in there caused by wear and tear through me high jumping for 15 years.
“They decided to clean it all out in one go and it’s gone fine. I’ve been rehabbing ever since to get ready for next summer.
“The World Championships in Beijing are the target for me. I can’t wait.”
Grabarz won his Olympic bronze in London two years ago and is joint holder of the British high jump record of 2.37m with Steve Smith.
“I made the decision in May to have surgery,” said Grabarz.
"The knee had been bothering me for ages and I wasn’t able to compete at 100 per cent, but kept soldiering on.
Robbie Grabarz in action at the World Championships
The World Championships in Beijing are the target for me. I can’t wait
“We tried to manage the injury as best we could, but I couldn’t keep going on like that. I want to be in contention for the big medals and I wasn’t with my knee in that state.”
It’s doubtful whether Grabarz would have wanted to continue high jumping if he was unable to compete at the top level with Russian Ivan Ukhov , Croatia’s Bohdan Bondarenko and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim who now dominate the sport.
Grabarz has been left behind by the huge improvement in high jump standards with Barshim leaping 2.43m and Bondarenko (2.42m) and Ukhov (2.41m) both challenging him.
Coach Fuzz Ahmed believes Grabarz is so talented he can break the 2.40m mark as well.
“Being fit to take on the big boys has put the fire back into me,” said Grabarz who has retained his Lottery funding and could make his comeback in the Sainsbury’s Indoor Grand Prix in February in Birmingham.
“Jumping 2.40m doesn’t guarantee you a medal anymore which is amazing and challenging. But I like that challenge.
“The knee is feeling fine, there’s still a way to go, but I’m looking forward to the Worlds and taking them all on fit and healthy.”