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Giarnni Regini-Moran is back on the treatment table but with a new perspective on life after enjoying a golden 2022.
The Dartford gymnast, a member of Maidstone-based Pegasus Gymnastics Club, defied years of injury hell to win team gold at the Commonwealth and European Games before a fairytale floor gold medal at the World Championships in Liverpool.
But pain is a fact of the 24-year-old's life and he was back in the operating theatre in January having ruptured his bicep tendon.
It was an injury he was fighting against throughout much of his most successful year to date, but the prospect of conquering his dreams propelled him through the pain.
“Unfortunately it’s another injury but if anyone can get through it, it’s me,” said Regini-Moran, joint winner with Jessica Gadirova of Olympic Athlete-of-the-Year at the 2023 British Gymnastics Awards.
“I knew I had it but I had my own goals I wanted to achieve and it was about managing my training well and pushing on the days where I could push.
“After the Worlds parallel bar final you can see I’m holding my shoulder because of how sore it was. I’m taking the challenge on and it’s going really well at the minute."
Regini-Moran knows all about the rehabilitation process. A reconstructive knee surgery at the age of 17 and three separate operations in 2021 led him to consider quitting the sport for good.
While his latest spell on the sidelines kept him out of this month’s European Championships, he believes the prolonged rest could yet count in his favour when he goes in search of the only accolade that has so far eluded him - an Olympic medal.
“With Paris a year away, I knew that I had to make sure I was 100%,” he said.
“In the past I would get frustrated, angry and upset that I was out and having to recover and take it slow. I’m really happy this time round. With the success I had last year, I’ve had time to reflect on that moment and I’m really happy and content with where I am.
“I achieved my dream on an apparatus that is one of my favourites and that was one of the best moments of my career. For now, I’m enjoying the process of rebuilding myself physically and mentally.
"I want to go into the Paris year with a clear mind and a healthy body and give it my all.”
Naturally, Regini-Moran would love to complete the set in the French capital next year, but you won’t hear him complaining if it does not come to fruition.
“Ultimately I’ve achieved one of the greatest things in the sport,” he said. “Before I always felt like I was chasing something. For once, I feel happy with what I’ve achieved.”
The British Gymnastics Awards celebrate those at the heart of gymnastics who create an uplifting experience for all. British Gymnastics has launched a new vision for a new era of gymnastics, learn more about Leap Without Limits here - https://www.british-gymnastics.org/vision