In 2022, the gymnast hit a brutal career-wall with a season-ending knee injury that left her sidelined. “It was a really slow progression, learning how to walk,” she admitted, painting a picture of a grueling rehab process that tested her resolve. For a UNC senior who’d been chasing perfection, the physical grind was only half the battle—mentally, she wasn’t sure about ever flipping again. So, how does someone go from relearning to walk, to sticking a landing in front of a roaring crowd?
Meanwhile, the doubts didn’t just fade—they lingered like a stubborn heckler as Lali Dekanoidze clawed her way back. She’d come achingly close to perfection before, noting, “A 9.975 is a good score, but it was a little bit frustrating when I [kept] getting that score and not getting a 10.” That near-miss territory could’ve broken her, yet she pushed through, quietly rebuilding her strength and confidence. What kind of fire does it take to keep going when a 10 feels like a taunting mirage?
‘…couldn’t even think about gymnastics,” she expressed while recovering. “It was a really slow progression, learning how to walk,” holding her brewing emotions. But then came the turning point: a gradual return to form, a buzz of subtle, good vibes—could this be her moment?
Lali Dekanoidze’s road to recovery was no cakewalk. Through intense physical therapy to regain strength and flexibility, she slowly, but surely got back into the swing of things, reintroducing gymnastics step by step. With medical experts monitoring her progress, she left no stone unturned in her comeback journey. So, routine by routine, Dekanoidze rediscovered her rhythm, setting the stage for something big at the 2025 ACC Championships. Where eventually she landed a perfect 10. “I feel amazing, I mean, I don’t even have words to describe it,“ she said.
A standout performance by a senior bars specialist highlighted UNC gymnastics’ ACC Championships on Saturday night. In First Horizon Coliseum, she earned a perfect 10 on bars – the program’s fourth and UNC’s debut – while also setting a new career high. This helped No. 22 UNC achieve a season-high score of 197.225, placing third among four teams. Lali Dekanoidze was also recognized as ACC Specialist of the Year, named to the All-ACC Championship Team, and secured her second straight year as bars co-champion.
The Perfect 10 That Took Dekanoidze By Surprise
Not only her fans, but even Dekanoidze herself was surprised, “I can’t even believe it’s real still.” she exclaimed —with a perfect 10 on the uneven bars, securing UNC’s fourth-ever perfect score and back-to-back ACC bars titles. “Honestly, I wasn’t even thinking about the score at that point,” she confessed, adding, “When everyone started cheering, I didn’t think it was going to be a 10, but that was a nice surprise.” Here’s a quick look-
She erupted in jumps, unable to contain her elation. Her teammates enveloped her in celebratory hugs. The emotional moment left many misty-eyed. “We’ve all been waiting for this,” junior Gwen Fink exclaimed, echoing the team’s shared anticipation and joy. Her head coach Danna Durante also joined the party, praising her grit, he said, “It takes commitment and discipline—lots of discipline—for Lali to stay mind and body connected and just do what she does in training every day. What a terrific way to finish the meet.”
For a front-row seat to this inspiring return, there’s now a documentary. Recovery: Lali Dekanoidze dives deep into her fight to get back on top. Released on March 2, 2023, it’s a cinematic summary for anyone who loves a true underdog story. With a team-high 197.225 and subtle fan buzz brewing, where does this emotional peak take her next?
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