- Sanna Hakala crashed head first into the post during the match in Sweden on Friday
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- WARNING: The article contains images of serious injuries
Sanna Hakala, a two-time Olympic hockey player for Finland, is paralyzed from the chest down and has limited function in her arms and hands after crashing into the net during a recent match for her Swedish club team.
The accident happened three minutes into Friday's match when HV71 captain Hakala was taken down in the attacking zone by a Djurgården player. The 26-year-old was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery on Saturday to repair the damage to her neck.
In a translated Instagram post on Thursday, the two-time Olympic bronze medalist revealed the consequences of her head-on collision with the pole.
“It is still difficult to understand what happened, that the fall against the goal post was so serious, that the consequences became so great,” Hakala wrote. 'Not only that I am forced to stop playing hockey, something that has been a big part of my life for years, but that I may have to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.
'The injury I suffered last Friday after a collision with the goal post has left me paralyzed from the chest down and my arms and hands can function less well. That's the reality I'm trying to get into.'
Sanna Hakala, a two-time Olympic hockey player for Finland, has been paralyzed
Hakala acknowledges that 'this situation obviously sucks' but says she is 'not afraid to deal with it'
The accident happened three minutes into Friday's match when HV71 captain Hakala was taken down in the attacking zone by a Djurgården player
In its statement, the club said Hakala now faces a lengthy recovery.
“I understand that I now face a long and hard battle with my body and the toughest competition of my life,” Hakala added.
'Now I have to focus all my energy on rehabilitation, so that I can recover as best as possible.
'Therefore, I and HV71 will not leave any further comments regarding my injury or situation and I ask you all to show consideration and respect for me and my family.
'This situation sucks, of course, but I'm not afraid to deal with it. I don't know what I'm going to do next, but I know it's going to be fucking amazing.”
Hakala won bronze medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games
Hakala has been playing high-level organized hockey for Team Finland since 2013, when she broke into the Under-18 squad.
She has since won bronze medals at the 2018 Pyeongchang and 2022 Beijing Games. In 2019, she and Team Finland finished second at the World Championships.
Hakala has received a lot of support on social media, much of which is written in Swedish and Finnish.
“I am so impressed by your attitude towards the tragic accident that has occurred,” reads one of the English comments. 'The battle will be long and above all difficult. But with your mentality, your future will be the best. May the strength be with you for all the challenges you will face.”