MTBO Star Marquita Gelderman (NZL) has managed to achieve world-class level in mountain bike orienteering after a broken leg (Photo by Paula Lehtomaki)
MTBO Star Marquita Gelderman, New Zealand
“Broken Leg Led to New Success”
By Erik Borg
Eleven years ago Marquita Gelderman was hopping around the children’s course on crutches. Now the athlete from New Zealand is one of the world’s best in Mountain Bike Orienteering. She just lacks a medal.
– “Sometimes I have to pinch myself to see if the good results are true! I’m really pleased how well I have done, but I would like to do just a little bit better and have an IOF medal around my neck! I wish I was five or ten years younger, even though age isn’t such a handicap on the bike,” says Marquita.
Last year the New Zealander was fourth in the sprint and fifth on the middle distance at the World Championships in Poland. She achieved a fourth placing in 2005 too, and in 2006 eighth place on the middle distance was her best result. In her first championship in 2004 her best placing was 15th.
In earlier years Marquita was a very good foot orienteer, and has seven national titles at middle distance and one over long distance in New Zealand. In 1995 she took part in the World Championships in Orienteering in Germany, where 13th place in the relay was her best.
Injury and Recovery
An injury whilst competing in the New Zealand Middle Distance Championships in 1997 brought about a change in Marquita’s sporting career. She broke her leg when she tripped while running down a hill. It was in an open farmland area, so the helicopter could land close by her and take her to hospital. She broke the top of her tibia, right in the knee joint.