The accident occurred on 24/1 at a gym in Teresina, northern Brazil. Ranieri Lopes Filho, 31, recorded the incident while videoing his workout. In the video, shared on his personal Instagram, the bodybuilder was performing a leg press exercise with 400 kg. Suddenly, his left leg bent backward under the compressive force, accompanied by a loud "snap" and a scream of pain.

Those present immediately rushed to help remove the weights to free Filho. One day after the incident, Filho underwent tendon reconstruction surgery. Speaking to the G1 news site, the bodybuilder stated he remains haunted by the excruciating pain and is facing a difficult post-operative phase.

The moment Filho screamed in pain as his leg bent while performing a leg press exercise with 400 kg. *Photo: La Nacion*

"The incident is the price paid for wrong choices and overconfidence," Filho wrote on his personal page from his hospital bed, admitting he risked exceeding his body's limits.

According to orthopedic experts, a ruptured quadriceps tendon is a serious injury, typically occurring when the thigh muscle experiences sudden strain in a bent-knee position. This is common in heavy exercises such as squats or leg press. Patients require timely surgery to avoid the permanent loss of knee extension, which can lead to functional disability.

The post-operative recovery process typically lasts 6-12 months, demanding a strict physical therapy regimen to restore muscle strength. Even after recovery, athletes still face the risk of re-injury or early knee osteoarthritis due to changes in the joint's biological structure.

Binh Minh (According to *La Nacion*)