“This is how you leadoff!” Said a user on X, moments after a dazzling bars routine from a Hungarian gymnastics star. Competing in the leadoff position for Georgia Gymnastics at the SEC Championships, she posted an impressive 9.875—a tone-setting performance that showcased her elite-level prowess. But as brilliant as her showing was, it wasn’t enough to propel the GymDogs to victory. When the dust settled, Georgia found itself tied with Auburn at 195.950, leaving the team just short of championship glory. But what about that gymnast? 

Even so, Csenge Maria Bacskay’s presence remained undeniable. A former Youth Olympic silver medalist and a Paris 2024 Olympian, she had become a cornerstone of Georgia Gymnastics—an athlete you could count on in the biggest moments. But now? The picture looks drastically different.

How does it feel to lose your international star just days before NCAA Regionals? Georgia Gymnastics knows the answer, and it’s far from a pleasant one. Because on April 1, Bacskay took to Instagram with devastating news that sent shockwaves through the program.

“Hello people…. unfortunately, I tore my UCL in my elbow this morning during practice and will not be competing at Regionals nor European Championships☹️.” Her words were raw, her heartbreak palpable. In an instant, her season was over. A gymnast known for her poise and precision was now sidelined by an injury that not only robbed Georgia of a key competitor for regionals but also stripped her of the chance to represent Hungary on the European Championship stage.

But she has hope. “I am obviously sad, but grateful at the same time, and I know I’ll be back soon, stronger than ever!” Furthermore, when Csenge Maria Bacskay took to Instagram to announce her injury, it wasn’t just a heartbreaking revelation—it was a testament to her unwavering team spirit. 

“I am grateful for this team, the coaches, and all the UGA staff that made these dreams come true and led me back to my happiest self,” the Hungarian gymnast wrote, her words dripping with both gratitude and determination. Despite the personal setback, her belief in the GymDogs remained unshaken: “I am incredibly proud of this team and what we have done this season, but it is still not over yet!! I have no doubt that we are one of the best teams in this country and can’t wait to watch them kill it at Regionals & show everyone what the Dawgs are made of!!! ❤️🖤”

And as if to leave no room for doubt, she signed off with Georgia’s battle cry—“Go Dawgs!!!” It was the kind of message that didn’t just signal the end of her season—it fired up those still in the fight. To truly understand what Georgia Gymnastics is losing, we need to rewind to last year—a season that showcased Bacskay’s supremacy at the collegiate and international levels.

Last season, Csenge Maria Bacskay was a force in the Nebraska Huskers’ lineup, proving her worth in her sophomore campaign. She racked up four event titles, with one exception—the bars. However, her season wasn’t just about NCAA success; a much bigger stage loomed on the horizon. When the gymnastics off-season arrived, her Olympic dreams hit a roadblock. A cloud of uncertainty formed over her selection process, stemming from an alleged mix-up between USA Gymnastics (USAG) and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). Would she make it to the Paris Olympics, or would she be left watching from the sidelines? The odds seemed stacked against her.

But fortune, as they say, favors the bold—and the fit. When the dust settled, Csenge’s name was on Hungary’s Olympic roster. It was a moment of triumph, a testament to her resilience. Then came Paris. The bright lights, the deafening cheers, the dream she had chased for years. But dreams don’t always unfold as planned. In the women’s vault event, Bacskay finished 12th, falling short of her ultimate goal. Still, she refused to let that define her. Instead, she returned to college gymnastics with a renewed fire, transferring to Georgia GymDogs for her junior season, ready to elevate both herself and her team.

Now? That momentum has been brutally halted. The 21-year-old’s UCL injury has yanked her out of the lineup right before NCAA Regionals, dashing her hopes of a strong finish to the season—and dealing a major blow to Georgia Gymnastics. However, what is the road ahead for the program now? 

Where does the Georgia gymnastics program go from here?

The GymDogs were counting on Csenge Bacskay’s experience and scoring potential to help them navigate the Regionals. Now, without their international star, adjustments must be made—and fast.

• Who steps up to fill the void?
• Can Georgia maintain its depth and consistency under pressure?
• With the highly competitive field at Regionals, will they have enough firepower to advance without their European Championship-bound gymnast?

These aren’t just strategic questions; they’re defining ones for Georgia’s postseason run. Because in college gymnastics, every tenth of a point matters—and losing an athlete of Bacskay’s caliber could be the difference between moving on or packing up. And if you don’t know, the Seattle Regional(April 4) will decide two teams for the upcoming NCAA Championships scheduled on April 17 and 29 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. However, after 2019, the GymDogs have yet to reach the NCAA Championships. So now? For Bacskay, the journey ahead is about recovery and resilience. But for Georgia Gymnastics? The fight isn’t over. They must find a way to adapt, overcome, and prove that they can still thrive—even without their Hungarian star.