Heartbreak for model high jumper Amy Pejkovic as injury rules her out of Commonwealth Games

MODEL, high jumper and cancer survivor Amy Pejkovic has no option but to pull out of trying for a position for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, after suffering a knee injury.

Model and high jumper Amy Pejkovic has had no choice but to pull out of trying for a position in the 2018 Commonwealth Games after being notified she has cracks in the cartilage of one of her knees. Picture: John Appleyard.

SIX years on from successful surgery to remove a brain tumour, high jumper Amy Pejkovic faces another hurdle in her dream to achieve sporting stardom.

The 24-year-old, who grew up in Turramurra, has had another setback in her career as a professional athlete – she was recently informed she had cracks in the cartilage of one of her knees and would not be able to train to qualify for the 2018 Commonwealth Games, to be held on the Gold Coast in Queensland during April.

Pejkovic, who was “looking forward” to showing off her skills at the event, said she was “devastated” when she received the news on January 10.

She added she has gone from training daily, with the goal of qualifying for a position in the Commonwealth Games, to not being able to run or jump at all.

Amy Pejkovic said, while she was disappointed she was unable to try to quality for a position in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, she was looking forward to potentially scoring a position in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Picture: John Appleyard.

“I was actually in my car and driving to the gym when the physio called,” she said.

“I cried – all I could think about was how this was another setback, and I knew it was just another thing I had to push through like I did when I had a tumour in 2012.

“My career will continue into my thirties, so I’ve still got a while to go, and there’s the Summer Olympics in Tokyo in 2020.

“I’m also studying and have a lot going on, so the best thing I can do is continue on and stay positive.”

Pejkovic, who attended St Leo’s Catholic College in Wahroonga and now resides in Balmain, added the next goal on her agenda for 2018 was to allow her knee to heal. She will also receive “dry needling” treatment to her quad and glutes.

Pejkovic said she was still looking forward to attending the Commonwealth Games, where she will be a part of the action by watching the event from the sidelines.

She also confirmed she was studying a Bachelor of Journalism and hoped to progress a career in media, on top of being a professional athlete.

“There is always a positive in every negative and a silver lining to any situation,” Pejkovic said.

“Just because the door closed on the Commonwealth Games doesn’t mean another won’t open.

“I always like to say that it’s best to view the world as a child does, because – as bizarre as it sounds – it makes you appreciate the little things.”