Derly has already began his recovery after having surgery on his knee

The life of a champion is always on the go with no time to rest. After delaying in four days his exit from the Divina Providência Hospital, where he was submitted to a surgery to reconstruct the joints of his left knee, João Derly didn’t want to lose any time. Instead of staying at home, resting, he has already began having physiotherapy in the Sogipa Clinic Centre.

Because his knee was still very swollen – the operation occurred last Monday -, Derly celebrate the small improvements: “Look here, professor, I can do it by myself”, he sais this Tuesday with a smile on his face to his coach Antônio Carlos Pereira, also known as Kiko. The reason for his happiness was that he was able to lift his currently very heavy left leg alone while lying down on the stretcher.

The period of recuperation for Derly will lat up to eight months, when, finally, the twice champion of the world will be able to go back to the tatamis to compete. Until then, his routine will consist basically of physiotherapy sessions. “I’ve said it before: I’m not losing spirit and I will come back stronger”, he guaranteed.

If it’s up to his motivation during the first session of physiotherapy, his opponents might have to watch out next semester.

João Derly ruptured his joints while fighting to go back to the Brazilian National Team in his new category on December 5th. He had to wait a month for the swelling to go down on the area so he could have it operated on.

With information from the Press Relations of Sogipa