Bernadett battled against the effects of injury, and the death of her mother
Bernadett battled against the effects of injury, and the death of her mother
The BBC's Against the Odds series profiles athletes heading to the Olympics despite huge hurdles.
The BBC's Against the Odds series profiles athletes heading to the Olympics despite huge hurdles.
Nick Thorpe meets a Hungarian judoka who has returned to competition after a string of serious injuries - and a family tragedy.
Nick Thorpe meets a Hungarian judoka who has returned to competition after a string of serious injuries - and a family tragedy.
Wherever you look in Bernadett Baczko's flat, there are signs of her profession.
Wherever you look in Bernadett Baczko's flat, there are signs of her profession.
Blue and white judo tunics hang drying on the balcony - her own, and those of her boyfriend, Laci.
Blue and white judo tunics hang drying on the balcony - her own, and those of her boyfriend, Laci.
There are photographs on the sofa, medals on the mantlepiece, and training shoes in the hall.
There are photographs on the sofa, medals on the mantlepiece, and training shoes in the hall.
Laci cooks lunch while we talk in the living room.
Laci cooks lunch while we talk in the living room.
Start of suffering
Start of suffering
It's a tiny flat, just 54 square metres, in Ujpest, a working-class suburb of Budapest, a stone's throw from the river Danube.
It's a tiny flat, just 54 square metres, in Ujpest, a working-class suburb of Budapest, a stone's throw from the river Danube.
Bernadett Baczko Competes in women's under 57kg categoryBeat reigning Olympic champion in 2007 'Worlds'In action on Monday 11 August from 0500 GMT
Bernadett Baczko Competes in women's under 57kg categoryBeat reigning Olympic champion in 2007 'Worlds'In action on Monday 11 August from 0500 GMT
Tall poplar trees cushion the roar of the traffic from the main road which runs close to the building, funnelling commuters into the city.
Tall poplar trees cushion the roar of the traffic from the main road which runs close to the building, funnelling commuters into the city.
Bernadett is relaxed on camera, full of pride in her achievements in her chosen sport, but there's no trace of arrogance.
Bernadett is relaxed on camera, full of pride in her achievements in her chosen sport, but there's no trace of arrogance.
"I began judo when I was nine, which turned out to be the ideal age for a girl, though I didn't know that at the time.
"I began judo when I was nine, which turned out to be the ideal age for a girl, though I didn't know that at the time.
"I have three older brothers, and was brought up as a bit of a tomboy, but it was actually a friend, a classmate who first took me to a training session. I fell in love with it straight away."
"I have three older brothers, and was brought up as a bit of a tomboy, but it was actually a friend, a classmate who first took me to a training session. I fell in love with it straight away."
Bernadett is taking no chances as she warms up for BeijingBernadett advanced in the sport with great strides, encouraged by all her family, but especially her mother.
Bernadett is taking no chances as she warms up for Beijing Bernadett advanced in the sport with great strides, encouraged by all her family, but especially her mother.
She would come to all the competitions, and encouraged not only her daughter, but even Bernadett's rivals.
She would come to all the competitions, and encouraged not only her daughter, but even Bernadett's rivals.
In 2002 Bernadett began winning international competitions. She narrowly failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
In 2002 Bernadett began winning international competitions. She narrowly failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics in 2004.
That was the year her "calvary", as she calls her suffering, began.
That was the year her "calvary", as she calls her suffering, began.
'Incurable illness'
'Incurable illness'
In August 2004, she and her team arrived late for a competition, and didn't have time to warm up.
In August 2004, she and her team arrived late for a competition, and didn't have time to warm up.
In the very first match, I attempted a certain technique, and my leg got stuck. There was an awful pain in my right knee Bernadett Baczko
In the very first match, I attempted a certain technique, and my leg got stuck. There was an awful pain in my right knee Bernadett Baczko
"In the very first match, I attempted a certain technique, and my leg got stuck. There was an awful pain in my right knee. But I took part in three more matches. I just didn't want to give up."
"In the very first match, I attempted a certain technique, and my leg got stuck. There was an awful pain in my right knee. But I took part in three more matches. I just didn't want to give up."
When she got home, her doctor could not understand how she managed to compete. The ligament in her right knee was torn.
When she got home, her doctor could not understand how she managed to compete. The ligament in her right knee was torn.
In October that year, she was operated on.
In October that year, she was operated on.
"At about the same time, we found out that my mother had an incurable illness. She died in June 2005."
"At about the same time, we found out that my mother had an incurable illness. She died in June 2005."
She relates how so many people mourned with her, in the Hungarian judo world as well.
She relates how so many people mourned with her, in the Hungarian judo world as well.
Her mother's presence at matches had inspired many a young Hungarian judo hopeful.
Her mother's presence at matches had inspired many a young Hungarian judo hopeful.
End of dark tunnel
End of dark tunnel
Her funeral took place just as Bernadett was coming out of her 8 months forced retirement from judo, and was starting university in Budapest.
Her funeral took place just as Bernadett was coming out of her 8 months forced retirement from judo, and was starting university in Budapest.
Bernadett studied in Budapest
Bernadett studied in Budapest
"In 2006 I started winning prizes again. But then I injured my other knee. Fortunately, it didn't need an operation."
"In 2006 I started winning prizes again. But then I injured my other knee. Fortunately, it didn't need an operation."
Then in the spring of 2007, just as she was preparing for the World Championships in Rio, she contracted a serious stomach illness.
Then in the spring of 2007, just as she was preparing for the World Championships in Rio, she contracted a serious stomach illness.
"This time, my coach assembled a whole team behind me - a doctor, a dietician, a psychologist..."
"This time, my coach assembled a whole team behind me - a doctor, a dietician, a psychologist..."
It paid off, and she won the bronze medal in Rio. And that is how she qualified for Beijing.
It paid off, and she won the bronze medal in Rio. And that is how she qualified for Beijing.
She shows the medal proudly. I study it carefully, but there's no text.
She shows the medal proudly. I study it carefully, but there's no text.
"If you hold it up to the light, you can tell its bronze...not gold or silver' she laughs.
"If you hold it up to the light, you can tell its bronze...not gold or silver' she laughs.
Rio marked for her the end of the tunnel.
Rio marked for her the end of the tunnel.
"It took me three years to come to terms with the loss of my mother, and with all the injuries...only now can I talk about these things without crying." And her voice barely quavers.
"It took me three years to come to terms with the loss of my mother, and with all the injuries...only now can I talk about these things without crying." And her voice barely quavers.
We race across town to the next training session - and arrive late, because of the interview.
We race across town to the next training session - and arrive late, because of the interview.
But ahead of Beijing, she's taking no chances, and starts warming up straight away.
But ahead of Beijing, she's taking no chances, and starts warming up straight away.
"It is an individual sport, but I'm lucky to be part of a really good, young team.
"It is an individual sport, but I'm lucky to be part of a really good, young team.
"We support one another hugely, which is very important, and will be decisive in the Olympics too. You could say we're even more excited for one another than we are for our own matches.
"We support one another hugely, which is very important, and will be decisive in the Olympics too. You could say we're even more excited for one another than we are for our own matches.
"And I think that's quite unusual."
"And I think that's quite unusual."
Your comments on this story:
Very inspiring story. I am sure Bernadett in her come back almost ensuring a medal for Hungary in Beijing Olympics. Good luck!!Mukunda, Bangalore , India
Bernadett, I wish you all the luck and hope to see you on the podium.S Dasgupta, Bangalore, India
Her story is inspirational and deeply moving. I will be rooting for her during these Olympics. Go for it Bernadett, you have what it takes and then some. You are my hero.Iftikhar Anwar, Tulsa, Ok. USA
I will be cheering for her during the Olympics.Thank you for the wonderful story.Dixie, Perkasie, Pennsylvania, USA
I Hope that Bernadett's story of never give up, will inspire other people in their lives to take up something and no matter what comes along, never give up, just keep going, also as Bernadett's mother did encourge other people to do the same. I Wish you all the very best for the future. My motto Live in the moment.
JOHN MORRIS, Ascot Berkshire Uk
Good Luck, Kid: you deserve it !Martin Curtin, Macau, China
Hats off to your sincere effort. Where normal people fail, you will succeed. There lies your victory. You have won the battle of the mind, what is left is the execution in the Championship. I have faith in thee. You will certainly come out fine. God Bless.Nived, bangalore, India
Good luck Bernadett ...we will cheer for you !!! IFRAZ, BA/ FIJI ISLANDS
What do you think of Bernadett's story. Do you have any questions for her in Beijing. Do you know anyone heading to the Olympics "Against the Odds"? Send us your comments using the forms below.
What do you think of Bernadett's story. Do you have any questions for her in Beijing. Do you know anyone heading to the Olympics "Against the Odds"? Send us your comments using the forms below.
