Gefen Primo Aims for World Championship Podium in Baku Return

Israeli judoka Gefen Primo is set to compete in her seventh senior World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Monday. Primo, currently ranked 11th globally in the under-52kg category, returns to the same venue where she made her World Championship debut at age 17 in 2018, finishing seventh. She holds a bronze medal from the 2021 World Championships and recently won gold at the Grand Slam Lausanne, fueling her strong desire to return to the podium at the upcoming event.

Primo expressed her intense longing to achieve a medal at the World Championships, calling it her most important goal for the past two years, especially as it contributes to Olympic qualification. "I truly have no way to explain how much I want this. I wake up with it in the morning, go to sleep with it at night," she stated. She feels that one previous podium appearance is insufficient and is focused on achieving this goal again, particularly given its Olympic qualifying status.

Reflecting on past disappointments at the World Championships, Primo mentioned that "things went wrong" for her in previous competitions, including an incident last year related to a conflict with Iran that affected her performance. She emphasized that a World Championship podium is a dream for any athlete and that she believes she can achieve it again.

Beyond the World Championships, Primo is actively pursuing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While acknowledging the importance of accumulating ranking points, she clarified that her primary objective in Baku is to win a medal, not just to gain points. She views Grand Slams as valuable but considers the World Championship the "ultimate medal."

Primo feels she is arriving at the competition more prepared and confident than ever, citing recent performances that have boosted her self-assurance. She is focused on translating this readiness onto the mat. Representing Israel during a sensitive period, she noted that thoughts of the national anthem typically arise only in the final stages of competition, a stage she is determined to reach.