Israeli athletes shine with gold, bronze and more guaranteed medals at World Games

The Israeli delegation delivered a stellar performance at the World Games in Chengdu, China, claiming a gold medal, a bronze, and guaranteeing at least three more medals in the coming days.

Shaked Nisimian captured gold in the women’s combat sambo up-to-72kg category with a commanding win over Mongolia’s Anujin Oron-Ulzii. Nisimian stormed to a 5-0 lead in the first minute with powerful throws and forced her opponent to submit just over three minutes into the bout. Her path to gold included a 9-0 quarterfinal victory and a hard-fought semifinal comeback against Uzbekistan’s Aroozkhan Kensari.

In the same discipline, Nili Block earned a bronze medal in unusual circumstances. Set to face Kazakhstan’s Ainur Ekzigitova in the bronze match, Block advanced automatically when her opponent was barred from competing due to injury. Earlier in the day, Block had lost her semifinal to Russia’s Sofia Istomina, who controlled the fight with ground techniques to win 8-0.

Israel’s momentum continued in kickboxing, where Yulia Sachkov (up-to-52kg) made history by securing Israel’s first-ever World Games kickboxing medal after a 3-0 semifinal win over Ukraine’s Darina Ivanova. Judah Osayed (up-to-75kg) followed with a dominant 3-0 victory over American Anthony Schleicher, and Polina Grossman (up-to-70kg) completed the hat trick with a 3-0 triumph over Serbia’s Aleksandra Kristic. All three will fight for gold tomorrow.

Arik Kaplan, head of the Israeli delegation and president of the Ayelet Federation, hailed the results: “Another amazing day with incredible results that once again show the outstanding athletes we have in Israel, especially in non-Olympic sports. Kudos to the coaches and all the teams this is a pride that words can’t describe.”

With more finals ahead, Israel’s athletes are proving that determination, skill, and national pride can take them to the top of the podium.

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