Aussie water polo Olympian Tilly Kearns shows off her shocking injuries after playing a match against China
- Aussie water polo star Tilly Kearns targeted by Chinese players
- Kearns, 23, showed off her battle scars on social media
- Representing Stingers at World Aquatics Championships in Japan
Australian water polo star Tilly Kearns has displayed her graphic injuries online following a recent match against China at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan.
The Stingers won the Group A match in Fukuoka 11-7 – and the 23-year-old is unlikely to forget her time in the pool anytime soon.
Kearns took to social media post match and shocked her followers on TikTok as well as Instagram by showing off the number of deep scratches she was sporting on her chest.
In accordance with governing body rules of the sport, competitors are supposed to have their fingernails checked before games – but Kearns confirmed that didn’t happen before the match.
‘No nail check,’ #waterpolo,’ the centre forward posted online following the bruising encounter.
Australian water polo star Tilly Kearns has displayed her graphic injuries (pictured) following a recent match against China at the World Aquatics Championships in Japan
The 23-year-old also confirmed on social media fingernails of the China players weren’t checked before the Group A clash in Fukuoka, which is against the rules of the sport
Kearns (pictured right) was a member of the Australian Stingers squad that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where they finished fifth
‘I love playing China, I absolutely love it. ‘[They are my] favourite team to play,’ she added in a sarcastic tone.
Aussie water polo great Deb Watson responded to Kearns’ post, declaring ‘I hope you have some betadine,’ while water polo fan Frank Ramos spoke for many when he said: ‘Damn. That’s terrible.’
Kearns was a member of the Australian Stingers team that competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where the squad finished fifth.
They were bundled out in the quarter-finals after losing 9-8 to Russia.
The daughter of Aussie rugby union great Phil Kearns will now look to take part in her second Olympics in Paris next year.
Meanwhile, Australia have moved into the round of 16 at the World Aquatics Championships after finishing second in their group behind the US.
They next face Israel on July 22 for a spot in the quarter-finals.
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