Nils Stump faces long recovery after knee injury

Swiss world champion Nils Stump has been forced to pause his competitive programme after sustaining a serious knee injury during a training camp in Japan. The 28 year old judoka from Zurich ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and also suffered damage to the medial meniscus, an injury combination that requires lengthy rehabilitation.

After returning home, Stump underwent surgery earlier this week at the Rennbahnklinik in Muttenz. Medical staff estimate that his recovery will take approximately nine months, effectively ruling him out of a large part of the upcoming season. While the timing is far from ideal, the injury does not endanger his longer term ambitions. With Olympic qualification still extending well beyond the coming year, a return in time to challenge for a third Olympic appearance remains a realistic goal.

Setbacks before, strength again

This is not the first time Stump has been tested by injury. At the end of 2023, a shoulder problem temporarily halted his momentum, but he responded with a strong return to form, collecting major titles once again the following season. That experience of rebuilding after adversity now serves as a reference point as he begins another demanding rehabilitation phase.

Stump reached the summit of world judo in 2023 at the World Championships in Doha, where he secured Switzerland’s first ever world title in the sport. In a tense final against Italy’s Manuel Lombardo, the contest was decided deep into Golden Score when Lombardo was penalised with hansoku make following a failed head dive seoi nage attempt. The victory marked a historic breakthrough for Swiss judo.

A career built on consistency

That world title was the highlight of a season that showcased Stump’s consistency at the very highest level. In the same year, he claimed gold at the Grand Slam in Tel Aviv, further establishing himself among the elite in his weight category. His rise had been gradual rather than sudden. As a junior, he captured European Championship bronze in Malaga in 2016, before stepping onto the senior podium with bronze at the European Championships in Lisbon in 2021.

Momentum continued to build in 2022, a season that firmly announced his arrival among the world’s best. Victories at the European Open events in Madrid and Oberwart were followed by Grand Slam gold in Abu Dhabi, a venue that would later become a familiar stage for his success. Further confirmation came in 2024 when he topped the podium at the Grand Slam in Dushanbe.

Even in the early months of 2025, prior to the injury, Stump remained a constant presence near the top. He won the European Cup in Dubrovnik, earned bronze at the Grand Prix in Lima and added yet another Grand Slam title in Abu Dhabi, underlining his ability to deliver results across continents and competitive environments.

Focus turns to recovery

The current injury represents the second major interruption of Stump’s career in just over two years, but his record points more towards resilience than vulnerability. World Championship bronze two years ago, followed by multiple Grand Slam victories since, illustrates an athlete capable of returning to peak form after setbacks.

For now, competition schedules give way to rehabilitation plans. The coming months will revolve around recovery, patience and gradually rebuilding physical confidence. Swiss judo will miss its world champion on the IJF World Tour, and Stump himself will have to watch from the sidelines, including the Grand Prix in Lausanne in August. Currently ranked sixth in the IJF World Ranking in his weight category, his attention is firmly on the long game, with the objective of returning stronger rather than rushing back too soon.