Spider bite sends Hungarian swimmer to hospital in Singapore – could miss key races
Hungarian swimmer Henrietta Fángli was rushed to the hospital in Singapore after waking up with a large, painful spider bite on her leg that quickly developed into a serious bacterial infection. The incident has forced her to miss Wednesday’s mixed medley relay at the World Aquatics Championships, a blow to the Hungarian team that had entered the race but could not compete without its only breaststroke swimmer.
The 24-year-old athlete, who previously represented Romania before switching to compete for Hungary, told Magyar Nemzet that the bite initially appeared on Monday morning but worsened significantly by the next day. “It had already started to bother me, but on Tuesday morning, it had swelled up and become hot, and it hurt more when walking,” she explained.
Bacterial infection caused by the spider bite
After consulting with the team doctor and the event’s medical staff, Fángli was sent to a hospital in Singapore, where she spent four to five hours undergoing examinations. Doctors determined that the symptoms were caused by a bacterial infection resulting from the spider bite. She was prescribed medication that is not compatible with competitive sports, making it impossible for her to swim in the Wednesday event.
“I’m feeling better now, but the medicine I was given isn’t compatible with racing,” Fángli said. “We hope I’ll be fit in time for my next events. I really want to swim the 50m breaststroke on Saturday and support the girls in the women’s medley relay.”
Hungary had to withdraw from the mixed medley relay
Her absence on Wednesday meant Hungary had to withdraw from the mixed medley relay, despite having entered the team. According to Magyar Nemzet, it was Fángli’s arrival last year that made Hungary competitive again in mixed medleys, due to the lack of other high-level breaststroke swimmers.
Fángli already made her debut at the championships on Monday, finishing 19th in the 100m backstroke heats and missing out on the semifinals. She later reflected that the spider bite may have affected her performance. “It’s a shame, because if the bite hadn’t happened, maybe I could have swum better. Based on my preparations, a semifinal spot was within reach.”
Despite the unfortunate turn of events, the swimmer remains optimistic and focused on recovery. “It’s just bad luck, nobody’s fault,” she said. “Even though it’s an unpleasant experience, I’m incredibly happy to be here at the World Championships. The team’s spirit is great, and everyone is supportive. I don’t want to dwell on the bite or use it as an excuse.”
Whether she will be able to return to the pool later in the championship depends on how quickly her condition improves. For now, Fángli is resting and hoping for a swift recovery.
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