It has been a long time since we last saw Alma Juniku in the ring and the reason for her absence has become clear. The Australian shared some footage on Instagram of her training with a knee brace on.
During her ONE Championship career she shared the ring with the likes of Stamp Fairtex and Janet Todd. Juniku was never stopped and proved she was on a par with the promotion’s best atomweights despite never winning a fight.
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Devastating injury
The reason for her extended absence became clear this week when Juniku shared a video of herself working out while wearing a knee brace. She has had an operation to repair an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
It is a devastating injury for any athlete and one that has the potential to be career ending. But Juniku is already pumping iron and seems absolutely determined to return to the ring.
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Extended absence
The photogenic Australian still has a big fan following despite her extended absence from the ring. She isn’t the only Muay Thai fighter in the family, her older sister has a huge fight coming up on Friday night.
Amanda Juniku is fighting Marina Verissimo at Eruption in Victoria. Only a year separates the two sisters but while one has been able to compete regularly the other has had her career decimated by injury.
The good news for Alma is that, at the age of 22, she has plenty of time to rehabilitate and return to the ring. Her sister is a year older and is fortunate enough to still be able to compete regularly.
Fans in Australia will be able to see Amanda fight on Friday. They will have to wait a little bit longer to see Alma in action but having already undergone surgery she should be ready to resume her competitive Muay Thai career in 2024.
