Triathlon and Swimming Without Limits: The Story of Martina Abaterusso

We had the chance to have a chat with Martina Abaterusso, who has a fascinating story of passion for sport.

As a child, she grew up in the world of artistic gymnastics, studied and graduated in Sports Science, and later became an artistic gymnastics coach.

Her life, which had been fairly linear up to that point, underwent a sudden change in July 2021: following an accident, one of her legs was amputated.

She discovered a new passion for swimming during rehabilitation, and in March 2022 she had her very first experience in the pool. From the very beginning, the water immediately became a safe space:

“In the pool I no longer felt the absence of my leg. I could swim in total freedom, without a prosthesis, wheelchair or crutches, but simply as Martina — as I was then and as I am today.
In the water I find my own dimension. Even in moments of great stress or during demanding training sessions, it is always my refuge.”

Her constant search for new challenges has led her to overcome the difficulties and obstacles imposed by her new physical condition, eventually bringing her to triathlon:

“I love triathlon because it gives me the chance to feel free, to shut all my thoughts out during the hours I train. But above all, I love the sea. I love swimming in the sea, especially the one back home. I adore getting lost among the seabeds of my land, rounding the buoy halfway through training and stopping for a moment to admire what surrounds me or a wonderful sunset.”

However, starting triathlon was not easy at all. Martina had to undergo a second operation and deal with incompatibility issues between her prosthesis and her residual limb.
“I wanted to learn how to run, but the wrong prosthesis didn’t allow me to run — or even to walk.

Most people would have given up at the first attempt.

We couldn’t find a way to keep the prosthesis firmly anchored to the stump. It became a very discouraging and frustrating situation. Until last March. My orthopedic technician and I created a belt that ties the prosthesis around my waist and allows me to run without problems related to stability.”

Since childhood, Martina has nurtured the dream of the Olympic Games — first as a gymnast, and today as a triathlete!

“I love the life I am living right now, despite the tiredness, the tight schedules and the sacrifices. I want to pursue this dream also for my family and for the people close to me, who never stop — and have never stopped — believing in me, not even for a moment.”

I discovered Zoggs when I started competing in triathlon, seeing the products among other athletes. To date, I have had the chance to try wetsuits, buoys, swim caps and swimsuits several times, and I have always felt extremely comfortable. Triathlon can be monotonous — the only fun things can be swimsuits, caps, cycling socks… and the Hypex wetsuit with the muscle design on the surface!

Where might we meet Martina this summer?

Back home, in Puglia! Going back to my roots.