In a devastating turn of events, England's promising gymnast Ondine Achampong has suffered a second major ACL injury, halting her remarkable 2025 comeback story. The 21-year-old athlete, who had fought back to form after a knee injury cost her a shot at the 2024 Paris Olympics, faces another lengthy rehabilitation.
From Olympic Heartbreak to NCAA Resurgence
Ondine Achampong's journey has been a rollercoaster of immense talent and cruel timing. Her dream of competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics was shattered in April 2024 when she sustained a serious ACL injury. Instead of succumbing to disappointment, the English native, who began gymnastics at age seven, channeled her energy into recovery.
Her dedication paid off with a strong return in early 2025, competing for the University of California, Berkeley (Cal). Achampong quickly secured a regular spot on the uneven bars and balance beam. She posted a score of 9.775 on beam and later achieved a career-high 9.925, proving she was back among the elite and helping her team to significant finishes.
A Promising Career Built on Hard Work
Achampong's rise was no accident. Trained at the Aylesbury Gymnastics Academy, she famously practiced for 30 hours a week. Coaches Molly and Joshua Richardson were instrumental in her early development, which led to her senior international debut in 2020.
Before her initial 2024 injury, she was at her peak, having become the British national champion in the all-around, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. Her medal cabinet already boasted bronze, silver, and gold from prestigious events like the Melbourne World Cup, European Championships in Munich, Cairo World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
The Crushing Repeat Injury
Just as her 2025 NCAA season was gaining momentum, disaster struck again. During an intrasquad training session at the University of California, Berkeley in November 2025, Achampong partially tore her ACL in the same knee previously injured.
Despite attempting to continue, medical examinations confirmed the need for surgery. Achampong explained the incident, stating, "I landed a bar dismount at one of our final control competitions at Lilleshall and following an MRI scan, it was discovered that I've torn my ACL." This second major setback in as many years has put her athletic future on hold once more, marking a heartbreaking chapter in the career of one of gymnastics' most determined talents.
