After a disastrous injury playing Division 1 softball, Panita Thanatharn lost her passion for competition—until she found CrossFit. Hilary Achauer reports.
Panita Thanatharn had her eye on home plate. It was Feb. 9, 2003, and Thanatharn, a sophomore at California State University Long Beach (CSULB), was having a great season. In the first seven games of the campaign, the outfielder was hitting .526.
Thanatharn’s team was playing Loyola Marymount. She was on second base, and Thanatharn knew if she made it home she could tie the game. Her teammate hit the ball into center field, and Thanatharn sped off around third base. Just as she slid into home, the catcher from the opposing team stepped in her way and Thanatharn slammed into her.
The impact was so brutal that a spectator later told Thanatharn she had heard the sound of breaking bones. Thanatharn severely fractured her tibia and fibula. Part of the broken bone stuck out of her left leg.
Now she’s competing in CrossFit.
What about you? Have you overcome any injuries? What keeps you coming back to CrossFit? Post your stories to comments.