Sakari Famous is adamant she will come back stronger after her impressive indoor season was ended abruptly by a back injury.

The 22-year-old high jumper, who attends McNeese University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, had been in stellar form, retaining her titles at the LSU Purple Tiger Meet as well as the McNeese Indoor II Meet last month.

However, a stress fracture in her lower back has halted her progress, with Famous confirming she will be forced to miss the rest of the indoor season.

“Unfortunately, I found out the injury will take me out of the indoor season,” said Famous. “It’s a stress fracture in my lower vertebra, so there is a slight break in the bone.

“The doctor stated it will be six weeks off from my regular activity to allow for it to heal. For now it will be strengthening my core to gain back stability, maintain mobility and get stronger in that area.

“After six weeks the plan will most likely be slowly introducing running activities, which would probably include the underwater treadmill.”

Despite the setback, Famous is determined to come back stronger and recapture the form she has been showing this season.

“Rest and recovery is my main focus for the time being and will look forward for a stronger comeback,” added the Bermudian, who is leaning on the experience of past injuries in her recovery process as she targets a return for the start of the outdoor season, as well as qualifying for the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile, in October.

“With rest to let it heal, I should be able to compete outdoors and for sure I will be looking forward to accomplishing new goals for the outdoor season. The Pan American Games are a big goal for me. It would be a great experience and allow me to show I can compete at the elite level.

“I feel like with this rest, it could actually make me stronger. I’m keeping my last season-ending injury [ankle in February 2020] in mind because even after that I was able to do great things such as last year’s accomplishments. It’s just a process of patience at this time.”

Before her injury, Famous’s confidence had been sky high after securing victory in six successive meets for her University team and she says that she had renewed motivation heading into the new campaign after competing at her first Commonwealth Games, in Birmingham, England, last summer as part of Bermuda’s 17-strong team.

While she was ultimately left disappointed at missing out after failing to hit the 1.81-metre qualification mark in three attempts and had to settle for an eighth-place finish in her group, it was valuable experience that made her determined to strive for greater success.

“The start of the season had been going great and I saw it as a chance to push on and reach my goals for the rest of the season,” added Famous, who was gearing up to try and break her national record of 1.77 metres, as well as reaching the NCAA Indoor Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico, next month.

“I always take a look back at my previous season as motivation to keep moving throughout the next season. It was an amazing season filled with many accomplishments and it makes you want to continue that.

“Being in an atmosphere such as the Commonwealth Games only makes you more hungry to be around great athletes again.”