– To be completely honest, my biggest fear is to die, and then I was really scared, says Selma Li.
Li is a world champion in Taekwondo, and can boast seven European Championship golds, three World Cup golds and several silver and bronze medals. Now the life situation is far from hard training sessions and the top of the podium.
We had emergency surgery
At the end of May, Li had a firefighter in her part-time job in Hallingdal fire and rescue service. Suddenly she had acute abdominal pain, and began to vomit acid.
– The pain was a decade on the pain scale, and I have never been there before. I am used to a lot of pain through sports, but this was very painful. I could not call the emergency room myself once, Li said.
Li was taken to the emergency room, and after three hours the case was clear: She had to undergo emergency surgery. She herself did not understand the seriousness, and told the doctors that she would not be operated on.
– FIRE GUARD: It was during a firefighter in Selma Li’s part-time job that she got great pain in her stomach. Photo: Private
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– I could not be put back in the sport in the middle of the season. Legane replied that the alternative was that I died.
The world champion was laid on the operating table, and the doctors removed 50 centimeters of her small intestine.
– It was completely black and destroyed.
Exactly what was the reason why Li had to remove parts of the small intestine is still unknown, but under analysis.
– COMPLICATIONS: Selma Li had complications after the operation. Then she was very worried. Photo: Private
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– Toughest “fight” I have had
However, the complications did not stop after the operation. One day later, Li experienced severe abdominal pain again.
– The doctors had a suspicion that it was an infection or blood poisoning. The health personnel worked really hard to prevent things from going really wrong.
After eight days in the hospital, Li was finally allowed to return home. At home, a heavy training against the podium awaited.
– LIKES FIGHT: Selma Li likes an extra “fight”, but thinks the training will be the toughest she has had. Photo: ITF Taekwon-Do Norway
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– I like it tough, and like an extra “fight”, but this will probably be the toughest “fight” I have had, says Li.
Tired of breathing
The training consists of learning just about everything again. At first she could not sit upright, and could not walk more than five steps a day, until she was completely exhausted. Even breathing in a whistle was very challenging for the former world champion.
– It is very surreal to go from being in top shape, to getting tired of breathing. Things are put very in perspective. One takes it for granted that one jumps up and goes to the toilet if one has to go to the toilet, but one does not take it for granted that one gets tired of breathing in a whistle.
At first she felt weak, and many times she burst into tears.
– Knowing that one goes from the top to the bottom is very heavy mentally, but now I focus on the small victories, so that it is less tiring to breathe in that whistle today than yesterday.
Shares videos from the training
When Li started to get a little more energy, she decided to start posting videos on Tik Tok, about the road back to the podium, and the new day.
– I’m an impatient person, so I need to have things to do.
The videos, in which Li shares everyday activities, such as breathing through a whistle, or going up and down the stairs, have been seen by tens of thousands of people. One of the videos has 130,000 views.
– People I have never met before say that I am strong and that I have to stand up. It makes me even more motivated to come back, says Li.
Will return
In August, Li can start training again. The goal is to stand on the podium again.
– Of course a little far in the future! But I would like to go back there, if the body wins yes. I know that when I stand up there, it’s the best feeling there is. Then one understands the value of the tough training, and the tough period I go through now. That feeling is completely raw.
– Now I have to work like never before. I have worked really hard before, but this will be a real battle, Li adds.
– THE GOAL: Selma Li’s goal is to be on the podium again. Preferably during 2023. Photo: Private
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