But for Libby Ralston, a broken arm has taken her down a pathway to success.
Ralston was formerly a gymnast, but about three years ago she broke her arm doing a backwards handspring on a tumble trampoline.
While her arm was in a cast it did not heal completely straight and even after physiotherapy, she noticed a change in what she was able to do in gymnastics, so decided to try out judo instead.
The decision was a successful one, because at her first competition at the 2022 New Zealand Judo Championships she won gold in the senior girls under 48kg category.
Ralston said she enjoyed "slamming people" in judo, and winning medals.
She practises every second day, mainly training at the Renshuden Judo Club in Mornington with the help of her coaches, father and daughter Craig Wright and Nikita Wright.
The medals keep on coming for Ralston, who recently won gold in the under 48kg senior girls and under 48kg cadet women categories at the 2023 New Zealand Judo Championships in Porirua.
Last month at the South Island Judo Championships she won bronze, silver and gold in the cadet women, senior girls open and senior girls under 48kg categories respectively.
She also won the senior girls under 48kg gold and senior girls open bronze at the Canterbury Open Judo Championships in May.
When Ralston turns 15 she will become eligible for international competitions, and will set her sights on the Oceania Open, which takes place in Australia.
But for now she is enjoying what she does best, getting out on the mat to practise her technique.
