ISRAEL'S KEREM PRIMO CONTINUES HER EUROPEAN TITLE TAKEOVER

It was both surprising and unsurprising that Israeli superstar Kerem PRIMO took the Junior European title on day one.

Looking at her record there is little to speculate upon given her little experience at only 16 years old. In her 24 recorded contests, she has only lost one in the Zagreb European Open, a senior event where she still took the bronze medal. It seems to make little difference the age or experience of her opponents and this could be a result of her training with the senior Israeli team and of course her sister, Gefen who is a senior European and world medallist. So despite her age, her reputation precedes her.

First up to face Primo was Chiara ZUCCARO (ITA) and though she put up a strong fight, Primo controlled the contest and the Italian picked up three penalties. The second was firmly secured, first with a countering waza ari score and in the next minute a devastating ippon-scoring sode tsurikomi goshi against the Ukrainian Vladyslava SNITKO. This performance was similar to that of her take over in Riga for the cadet title, and when asking her about this style she referenced 2019 world champion Sagi MUKI and his direction.

Next up was the semi final against eventual bronze medallist and #1 seed, Ozlem YILDIZ (TUR), who until this point thhad been a top contender, but a quick transition in to shime waza from Primo stopped Yildiz on her road to gold. This only left the final.

Kerem PRIMO (ISR).

Ozlem YILDIZ (TUR).

Returning junior European champion Faiza MOKDAR (FRA) was the favourite for gold, her team mates having already picked up two gold medals, a silver and bronze before she stepped on the tatami for the final. She took Primo the full length of the contest and remained positive while the Israeli took on two shidos and the pressure that comes with them.

The pair continued 1:45 in to golden score before Primo found a burst of energy, executing an uchi mata to score waza ari and ultimately take her second European title in two months. She is a refreshing talent to watch going forward and is exemplary of the Israeli teams system, bringing through great athletes who we see medalling on every level.

-57kg final Kerem PRIMO (ISR) v Faiza MOKDAR (FRA).

Maayan GREENBERG in the coaches chair for Kerem PRIMO.

-57kg final Kerem PRIMO (ISR) v Faiza MOKDAR (FRA).

Kerem PRIMO (ISR) celebrating her Junior European title.

For Kerem Primo, we will next see her in the Junior World Championships in Olbia, Italy, testing her abilities against not only our top Europeans but the best junior athletes in the world.

ISRAEL'S KEREM PRIMO CONTINUES HER EUROPEAN TITLE TAKEOVER

Junior European Judo Championships

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