The moment a Russian acrobat breaks his neck when his double somersault goes horribly wrong
- GRAPHIC CONTENT: Akheget Valitov, 22, was attempting double somersault
- But the professional acrobat landed badly and broke his neck in the fall
- Taken to intensive care in city of Ufa, western Russia where he has regained some movement on his left side
This is the horrifying moment a 22-year-old professional acrobat attempts a double somersault and breaks his neck.
Akheget Valitov, from the city of Ufa in western Russia, was attempting the complex move during a training session.
In the footage, he is seen performing a cartwheel before going into the 720-degree flip, however he doesn’t complete the second rotation of the flip, and instead lands extremely awkwardly on his head.
Someone watching from the sideline can be heard to audibly gasp.
According to local media, he was taken to intensive care after the incident in late September.
Following over a month of treatment, local media said the 22-year-old acrobat has regained some movement on his left side although his right side still remains paralysed.
While Akheget was initially opposed to asking for financial help for his ongoing treatment, he told local media that he has changed his mind.
Akheget Valitov, from the city of Ufa in western Russia, lines himself up for his complex gymnastic routine
In the footage, he is seen performing a cartwheel before going into the 720-degree flip, however he doesn’t complete the second rotation of the flip
The young man said: ‘At first, I thought we would be able to take care of everything ourselves, but it is really hard to do on our own.
‘We are not aiming for a specific amount of money, but asking people to help with whatever they can afford to give.’
Valitov added that he does not blame anyone for the incident other than himself.
Video footage of the incident has been posted on social media where it has been viewed 95,000 times.
One person commented: ‘We all take risks and when you take part in sports like that, you have to be prepared for incidents like that.’
Instead of landing as intended on his feet, the 22-year-old falls extremely awkwardly on his head, breaking his neck and leaving him paralysed
He was taken to intensive care after the incident, and has since regained some movement on his left side but his right side still remains paralysed