Kerem Primo Turns a Long Recovery into Budapest Bronze

Israel’s Kerem Primo has returned to the Grand Slam podium in Budapest, claiming bronze in the -63kg category. The result carried extra weight after a difficult injury setback that halted her rise at the 2023 World Masters.

Primo had already built an impressive record before that moment. She was a Cadet European champion, Junior European champion, Junior World silver medallist and 2022 European Youth Olympic Festival winner. She had also begun collecting senior-level results and qualified for the Masters.

At the 2023 World Masters in Budapest, however, Primo’s progress was abruptly interrupted. In her second-round contest against Kosovo’s Laura Fazliu, she tore her ACL and was unable to compete for nearly two years.

Her return to Budapest brought a powerful full-circle moment. Primo faced Fazliu again in the -63kg bronze medal contest and earned her place on her first Grand Slam podium.

Primo’s Budapest medal came after nearly two years away from competition.

The Israeli judoka described the day as intense and emotional. She said every contest demanded maximum focus, while taking the event step by step and staying committed to the plan proved decisive.

For Primo, the medal was more than a result at a single tournament. It marked the reward for a long period of work, patience and belief after an injury that had stopped her momentum at a crucial stage of her career.

The bronze medal completed a meaningful return against the opponent from her 2023 setback.

Source: EJU.net

Image source: EJU / European Judo Union