Italian Gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli Undergoing Recovery Following Tragic Spinal Injury
Italian gymnast Lorenzo Bonicelli is currently recovering in the University Hospital in Essen, Germany, following a severe neck injury sustained during the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games.
The incident occurred during the men's artistic gymnastics team event, where Bonicelli was attempting a triple backflip dismount. Medical workers rushed to his side immediately, and he was carried out of the arena on a medical stretcher.
Bonicelli was diagnosed with a cervical sprain with subluxation of the fifth vertebra and underwent emergency cervical spine surgery. He was placed in a medically induced coma following the surgery on July 23, according to an FIG official.
As of early August 2025, Bonicelli is stable and no longer in a coma, but he is currently breathing through medical ventilation via a tracheotomy. His life is not in danger, but recovery is ongoing, with ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
The Italian team withdrew from the entire competition due to the emotional distress inflicted by Bonicelli's injury. Before the incident, he was a key member of Italy’s national gymnastics team and a contender for the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta, as well as a prospect for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The gymnastics community continues to think of Bonicelli, affectionately known as 'Bonni', and the entire Italian gymnastics federation. The extent of his neurological damage is still not fully assessed, but it will take 10 or more days to determine the severity of his injuries. Bonicelli will require at least another week of hospitalization before a potential transfer to a rehabilitation facility is considered.
Steve Butcher, the Apparatus Supervisor for men's still rings, shared that Bonicelli went into a "medically induced coma after surgery" on July 23.
[1] University Hospital Essen confirms Bonicelli's hospitalization and ongoing rehabilitation. (URL)
[2] Italian Gymnastics Federation confirms Bonicelli's injury and withdrawal from competition. (URL)
[3] Forbes: Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and other stars are missing from the U.S. Classic lineup (unrelated fact, not included in the article)
[4] Bonicelli's life is not in danger, but recovery is ongoing. (URL)
[5] Bonicelli's injury occurred during the men's artistic gymnastics team final and qualification round at the 2025 FISU Summer World University Games. (URL)
- Lorenzo Bonicelli, the Italian gymnast who suffered a severe neck injury during the men's artistic gymnastics team event at the FISU Summer World University Games, is currently undergoing rehabilitation at University Hospital in Essen, Germany.
- Following Bonicelli's neck injury, he was placed in a medically induced coma after undergoing emergency cervical spine surgery on July 23, as confirmed by Steve Butcher, the Apparatus Supervisor for men's still rings.
- After the incident, Lorenzo Bonicelli, affectionately known as 'Bonni', was diagnosed with a cervical sprain with subluxation of the fifth vertebra and is currently breathing through medical ventilation via a tracheotomy, although his life is not in danger.
