Unyielding determination exemplified

Nicolette Fernandes working out with light weights to strengthen her shoulder at the Top End Fitness club.

One of the greatest fears of a professional athlete is becoming injured. To an athlete, suffering a career-threatening injury is like a lawyer being disbarred, a doctor losing his license or an engineer losing his competency or a journalist losing his credibility.

It can be physically painful as well as psychologically grueling and very few athletes are able to return to glory, much less surpass where they once were after suffering a serious injury. But despite the unfavourable odds,