What do you think would happen if a weightlifter dislocated their finger mid-way through a clean and jerk? The average fitness enthusiast may answer by saying the athlete failed the lift because of the injury. However, American weightlifter Cicely ‘CiCi’ Kyle had different plans. In a mind-boggling feat of strength and mental resilience, Kyle somehow fixed her finger enough to complete the lift.

Cicely Kyle pulled off the extraordinary clean and jerk by resting the weighted barbell on her front delts. The weightlifter dislocated her finger during the clean portion of the lift. However, instead of quitting from the excruciating pain, she somehow balanced the barbell, pulled her finger back into the socket, and completed the lift. Needless to say, the fitness community couldn’t believe their eyes.

However, the Cicely Kyle isn’t your average eight-lifter. The 99 lb powerhouse is a Pan-American and two-time National Champion. She is an American record-holding weightlifter in her weight class and 45kg/49kg Masters Pan-Am & World Record holder. Squat University, while posting the video, wrote: “99.9% of people would have just dropped the bar – wow!”

Meanwhile, Kyle updated fans shortly after performing the herculean feat of strength. “Back to our regularly scheduled programming as a physician assistant in the emergency department… My finger is ok. Thank u to everyone who is asking,” wrote the weightlifting veteran while holding up her bandaged finger in the selfie.

However, weightlifting at an elite level while working as a physician’s assistant isn’t her only superpower. Fitness has been a cornerstone in Kyle’s life and also competed in bodybuilding when she was younger. In fact, Kyle has even competed at the Arnold Classic during the early 2010s. However, it was Kyle’s incredible clean and jerk that made her go viral.

Fitness fans resorted to humor

While praise may sometimes become exaggerated, CiCi’s incredible display made every compliment look like an understatement. So the fitness community justifiably treated her like a superhuman. “She said not today,” commented one Instagram user. “Looking at her own finger like, ‘your weakness vexes me’,” wrote another fan.

“Mental Toughness +100000,” complimented one fitness enthusiast. Meanwhile, another follower put an average person’s response to physical pain in perspective. “Epic! Wins the national championship after fixing her finger!? Jeez!! I’ve cancelled an afternoon’s work because of a splinter in my finger before,” he wrote. “This is the most badass thing I have ever seen,” commented another.

It’s the mindset of athletes that sets them apart from the average fitness enthusiast, and it’s their willingness to attempt such impossible feats that make individuals like Cicely Kyle champions among a sea of elite lifters.