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A Brazilian volleyball star has claimed that she is 'born again' after surviving being shot in an attempted mugging in Rio de Janeiro.
Julia Rocha Marques de Azevedo, a professional volleyball player for Tijuca Tennis Club in Rio de Janeiro, was shot in the back while sitting in a car with her dad during an attempted robbery on Sunday night.
Azevedo miraculously avoided severe or even fatal injury in the attack as the bullet narrowly avoided striking any major organs, missing her spine by a 'millimeter' and her bladder by a 'centimeter' before exiting by her hip. However, she admitted that her 'story could have been very different.'
The 28-year-old recounted the harrowing experience in an Instagram post, which featured gruesome photos of the bullet wound.
'I am literally born again,' she wrote. 'I am being very careful. I am recovering and I am going to need to take a step back from volleyball, which is what I love to do most, for a little time so that I can recover in peace.
'I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for all the messages, calls, prayers and care that I have received. You have no idea how comforting it is.
Brazilian volleyball star Julia Azevedo was shot in the back during an attempted robbery
The bullet miraculously avoided hitting her spine and any vital organs before exiting
'At the same time, it is impossible not to feel immense sadness about the violence that we're living in. You can't normalize, let alone protect, those who choose to do evil.
'I want to thank the police officers from the 6th battalion for all their help to my family and the team at Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital who treated me marvelously well.
'Life is the most precious thing, and yesterday mine was saved by a miracle. My body is sealed and as I ALWAYS SAY life goes on.
'Thank God for one more chance. And thank you to each one of you for your love always.'
Her volleyball team, Tijuca Tenis Clube, also confirmed the horrifying ordeal.
Police officers from the 6th battalion of Rio's military police responded to the scene, while Azevedo was rushed to Badim Hospital before being transferred Souza Aguiar Municipal Hospital, located in downtown Rio. Azevedo has now been discharged and is recovering at home.
The Civil Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro confirmed to The Daily Mail that an investigation to identify the suspects is underway with officers from the 19th precinct in Tijuca handling the case.
Azevedo's father, Marcos, survived the attack with an even narrower escape. Marcos, who is the Vice President of Tijuca Tenis Clube, almost had one of the bullets strike him in the head, while another round hit the bodywork of the car.
Azevedo is a professional volleyball player for Tijuca Tennis Club in Rio de Janeiro
The 28-year-old claimed that she is 'born again' after surviving the harrowing experience
'Time to thank God that our whole family can be together,' he wrote in the comment section of Azevedo's post.
'What we went through yesterday was insane. Driving a car and seeing you get shot, taking you to the hospital, praying that you were okay, accompanying you to your examination and seeing the doctors' perplexity at looking at the trajectory of the bullet and seeing that no vital organs were affected is something that made me very upset.
'But God is very good and watched over you, allowing you to get through this.
'I thank the doctors and the police officers for the excellent care and affection in taking you to the hospital and staying with us until everything was resolved.'
Azevedo hopes to return to training in as month with the hope of returning to the court to play in the last Superliga match of the year on December 22 at home against Praia Clube,' she told Globo.
'In my professional life, it's about trying to come back stronger, even though it wasn't a sports-related injury, it has had an impact because I'll be missing important club games,' she told the Brazilian outlet.
'It's a tough, difficult time. I won't be able to go to the initial training sessions, but I'll try to give strength to the girls to help them.
'And in my personal life, I'm becoming more and more grateful, because one day our life is here, the next day it may not be anymore.'
Azevedo was rushed to hospital but has now been discharged and is recovering at home
Her father, Marcos, had an even narrower escape with a bullet flying past his head
Tijuca Tenis Clube wished their player a speedy recovery as they shared a brief statement on social media.
'Tijuca Tenis Clube can confirm that athlete Julia Azevedo, from the professional women's volleyball team, is doing well and out of danger after being shot in an attempted robbery on Sunday night, on the corners of Conde de Bonfim Street and Henry Ford Street.
'She received immediate medical attention and has now at home recovering. Per medical guidance, Julia will temporarily take a step back from team activities until she has fully recovered.
'Tijuca Tenis Clube wishes our athlete a speedy recovery.'
