Vanda Vályi, a key player for FTC-Telekom Waterpolo and the Hungarian national team, has announced she will be sidelined for the first half of the 2024/25 season.
The 25-year-old Olympian and World Championship silver medalist has been struggling with persistent pain and will undergo surgery, forcing her to take a break from the game.
Vályi’s decision comes after a grueling period of competition, including the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Hungarian national team finished in fifth place.
Reflecting on the Olympics, Vályi expressed mixed emotions. “The lack of a medal gives a feeling of disappointment, but this was absolutely beautified by the way we played in the last three games,” she said. Hungary’s performance included a dramatic victory over Greece and a narrow loss to the United States, falling just short of the semifinals.
Throughout her career, Vályi has battled injuries, often playing through pain. “There hasn’t been a season in the last two or three years that I could get through without illness or injury,” she admitted. Despite these challenges, Vályi was one of Hungary’s standout players in Paris, scoring three goals against both the Netherlands and Greece.
The water polo star has been open about her ongoing shoulder problems, which have been troubling her for over a year. “I will have one, but probably two surgeries. It’s been in my deck for years that I’d need these. These interventions must be done regardless of water polo, but they will also help my sports career,” she explained.
Vályi also spoke about the toll of playing in four major international competitions within 400 days, including the World Championships and European Championships. Now, she plans to take the time necessary to recover fully and focus on her studies to become an engineer. “Obviously, this is a difficult situation, but the club supported me from the beginning in my decision,” she said, expressing gratitude to FTC-Telekom for their understanding and support.
She hopes to return to action in January 2025, with her sights set on helping her team chase their first league title under the leadership of new head coach Márk Matajsz. “As soon as I can and my health allows, I will try my best to get back into it. I have always loved playing in Ferencváros, but now this is also a bit of a milestone, that with a new coach and new players, we can fight for the biggest goals,” Vályi said.
Water polo fans and supporters will be eagerly awaiting her return, hoping to see Vályi at her best once again in the second half of the season.
The quotes and content of this interview were taken from the Fradi media webiste.