Three weeks! That’s all it took for Avery Neff to go from a devastating injury to competing again. But how is this even possible? The Utah freshman, once ranked as the nation’s top gymnastics recruit, suffered severe ankle sprains in a terrifying fall against Iowa State on January 17. Many assumed her season was over. Yet, on Friday night again, she was back on the uneven bars, defying all expectations.

Last month, when Avery Neff went down in the middle of her floor routine, the arena fell silent. While executing a tumbling pass, her ankle bounced off the floor at an unnatural angle, causing her left leg to bend sideways. Avery collapsed instantly and was unable to put any pressure on her foot. This led to her being carried off. Everything regarding her future was uncertain at that point.

The scene left fans heartbroken, as just moments earlier, she had been showcasing the very skills that made her a top recruit. For weeks, Neff was seen in soft casts, relying on a scooter to get around. The idea of her returning this season seemed out of the question. But then, against all odds, Avery Neff made her official comeback on Friday night, competing in the Red Rocks’ uneven bar lineup against No. 19 Arizona.

On 8th February, Utah Gymnastics’ official X handle posted with the caption “She’s baaaaaaack “. And this left everyone stunned. Most expected her to be limited, perhaps easing back into routines. But instead, she looked every bit the gymnast that captivated Utah fans from the moment she stepped on campus. But despite this, the worries of fans weren’t dispelled.

Fans were anxious after Avery’s stunning and quick comeback

As Neff swung through her routine, the crowd at the Huntsman Center roared. But as much as fans celebrated her return, many couldn’t help but feel uneasy. After all, just three weeks earlier, her injury had seemed so severe that even walking looked like it would take months of recovery. While some were thrilled to see her back, many were skeptical.

“I actually still can’t believe Avery Neff competed again already,” one fan wrote in disbelief. With her ability to perform well even after a severe injury, she made it very clear why she is hailed as the No. 1 recruit in the country for the class of 2024. “No, fr, I know they said they were severely sprained, but she punched with FULL BODY WEIGHT on those poor things,” one fan commented, unable to comprehend how she managed to compete again so soon.

However, this was not the first time when she proved herself. She is already a seven-time national champion, having trained at Olympus Gymnastics. Her skills and determination have made her one of the most promising gymnasts in the country. And one of her fans’ reactions summed up the collective amazement: “Literally, what the fu*k😭😭😭Happy for her, tho.”

While her comeback was undoubtedly inspiring, some couldn’t help but wonder if she was truly ready. “Medical experts, I’m genuinely asking: how are her ankles alive so soon after that floor routine?” a fan questioned, voicing the concerns of many who had witnessed her injury firsthand.

Even Neff’s most loyal fans were left speechless when she returned to competition so soon after what many thought was a serious injury. One of her fans wrote, “Not in a negative way; I’m just actually so shocked.” after looking at the smooth landing she made competing against Arizona. Through this move, the 19-time Utah state champion showed her resilience and her expertise.

Her return has sparked debate within the gymnastics community. Was this a medical miracle, or did Neff push herself back too soon? Given the high-impact nature of gymnastics, the risk of re-injury is always present. What do you think? Should she have taken more time to heal, or was this the right decision? Let us know in the comments below!