Israeli Judoka Gili Sharir Undergoes Knee Surgery After ACL Tear

Experienced Israeli judoka Gili Sharir underwent successful knee surgery following a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Sharir shared a photo from her hospital bed on social media, recounting the injury that occurred about a month ago during a training camp in Italy while preparing for the Olympic qualification. She described hearing two loud clicks and feeling sharp pain in her right knee during a match, which led to swelling and persistent pain. Medical examinations confirmed the feared diagnosis of an ACL tear in her right knee.

Sharir expressed disbelief at the injury, noting this was her second ACL tear; she previously injured her left knee in 2020 during the Tokyo Olympics qualification and underwent reconstructive surgery. That recovery culminated in winning a bronze medal in the team event at the Tokyo Olympics. Together with her professional team, Sharir decided to proceed with surgery again to ensure timely rehabilitation and to meet the qualification standards for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

She remains optimistic about her recovery, stating on social media, "Maybe this will end with an Olympic medal." The judoka’s determination highlights her commitment to returning to competitive form despite the setback.