Volleyball Star's Brush with Death in Rio de Janeiro
In a terrifying incident that has shaken the sports community, Brazilian volleyball player Julia Rocha Marques de Azevedo, aged 28, narrowly escaped death after being shot during an attempted robbery in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday night. The athlete was sitting inside a car with her father when a gunman targeted them.
A Millimeter from Tragedy: The Harrowing Details
The attack took a violent turn when a bullet struck Julia in the back. In what medical professionals are calling a miraculous escape, the projectile missed her spine by a mere millimeter and passed by her bladder by just a centimeter before exiting near her hip. Doctors who treated her confirmed that the shot had the potential to be fatal. Reflecting on her survival, Julia expressed that she feels "born again" after the traumatic event.
Immediately following the attack, officers from the 6th Battalion of Rio’s Military Police rushed to the scene to provide assistance. Julia was initially taken to Badim Hospital for urgent care before being transferred to the Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital for further treatment. She has publicly praised the medical team for their exceptional care, thanking them in a heartfelt post on her Instagram. After receiving the necessary medical attention, she has been discharged from the hospital and is now recuperating at home.
The Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro has confirmed to media outlets that an investigation is ongoing and they are actively searching for the suspects responsible for the shooting. The case is being handled by officers from the 19th Precinct in Tijuca.
Family Trauma and a Determined Comeback
Julia's father, Marcos Azevedo, who serves as the Vice President of Tijuca Tenis Clube, was also in the vehicle during the harrowing ordeal. He revealed the sheer terror of the moment, stating that a bullet almost hit his head and another struck their car. He described the entire episode as "insane" and extended his profound gratitude to the doctors and police officers who played a crucial role in saving his daughter's life.
Despite the physical and emotional trauma, Julia Azevedo's spirit remains unbroken. She has announced that while she needs to take a short break from volleyball to focus on her healing, she is determined to return to the sport she loves. She has set her sights on playing in the last Superliga match of the year on December 22 against Praia Clube. Acknowledging the difficulty of the situation, she admitted that missing important games is challenging, but she wants to remain close to her teammates and offer them her support and strength.
This life-altering experience has left Julia with a renewed sense of gratitude. She remarked on how life can change in an instant, going from normal one day to a struggle the next. She also took a moment to thank the countless well-wishers who sent her messages, calls, and prayers, noting that the overwhelming love and support provided her with immense comfort during a frightening time.
Her club, Tijuca Tenis Clube, has issued an official statement confirming that Julia is safe, out of danger, and will be taking time away from training until she makes a full recovery. The club expressed its happiness at having her back home safe and wished her a speedy recovery.
