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 that the injury occurred about a month ago during a training camp in Italy as she prepared for the Olympic qualification. During a match, her opponent executed a move that caused two loud clicks and sharp pain in her right knee, leading to swelling and several days of discomfort. Medical examinations confirmed the feared diagnosis of a torn ACL in her right knee.

Sharir expressed disbelief at the injury, noting this was her second ACL tear; she previously suffered a similar injury in 2020 during the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers, which required surgery on her left knee. That rehabilitation culminated in winning a bronze medal in the team event at the Tokyo Olympics. This time, after consulting with her professional team, Sharir decided to undergo surgery promptly to recover in time and aim for qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.