In strength sports, few things build mental and physical fortitude like working through and past serious injuries. Major injuries in one’s career can sometimes to unavoidable and inevitable at that, so it’s always great seeing big named athletes working through adversity to come back stronger, which is exactly what powerlifter Dan Green has done.
After the Arnold Classic in late March, Green first shared the news of his unfortunate bicep tendon rupture, which caused him to withdraw from all of his planned upcoming 2018 meets. This rupture occurred after sustaining an injury back in the fall of 2017 that appeared to have never fully healed.
Since undergoing surgery, Green has been on absolute warpath back to platform readiness. On June 2nd, Green shared a block pull video with 305kg (672 lbs) for 5-reps, which was his first time publicly sharing any form of deadlift clip. Then earlier today, Green shared his most impressive deadlift set to date post-surgery, and it’s a video highlighting a massive 325kg (716 lbs) 8-rep deadlift set.
Following the bicep tendon rupture, some strength sports fans speculated about Green’s return to the platform. After all, he did just come back from a partially torn right quad tendon in the many months before the bicep injury. In terms of strength sports, these are two of the tougher injuries an athlete can sustain when lifting at a very elite level (but maybe not for Green!).
The reality of the situation is that Green has made it clear that he’s far from finished with lifting, and even made a post clearing up that misconception on June 23rd when he shared a video deadlifting 275kg (606 lbs) with 118kg (260 lbs) of band tension.
In Green’s Instagram video’s description he writes, “Safe to say the bicep is feeling fully healed. For anyone asking if I’d switch hands or switch to hook grip after tearing a bicep… nope. I didn’t stop deadlifting the first time I hurt my back and I didn’t stop going into my kitchen the first time I stubbed my toe… c’mon people why’s everybody so scared lol. Get your mind right. TBH tearing a bicep is about the least painful or difficult injury I’ve dealt with…”
When it comes to grit, drive, and an iron spirit, Green is potentially of the best examples to look to. Not only has he worked past two serious injuries in the last two years, but he’s already proving that he’s already on his way back to being at the top of his game.
Related: Romanian Deadlifts
Feature image from @dangreenpowerlifter Instagram page.