Lorenzo Bonicelli, an artistic gymnast from Italy, has undergone surgery following a serious neck injury sustained during the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games in Germany’s Rhine-Ruhr region.
The 23-year-old was competing in the team final and qualification round of the men’s artistic gymnastics event on Wednesday (23 July) when the incident occurred. During his third apparatus, the still rings, Bonicelli attempted a high-difficulty dismount, the triple back. He under-rotated and landed directly on his neck.
Medical personnel rushed to his side immediately, and he was stretchered out of the arena before being taken to the nearby University Hospital in Essen.
According to reports from the Italian news agency ANSA, the Mercatorum University economics student underwent surgery, with further updates on his condition expected a few days.
Meanwhile, the Italian Gymnastics Federation says they have taken the decision to withdraw the men’s artistic gymnastics team from the competition, “given the understandable emotional distress of the rest of the team” following the accident.
Bonicelli had been a strong contender for Italy’s squad for the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta slated for 19–25 October.