Israel Shines in Judo with Dual Medal Victory at Paris Olympics

Israel celebrated a remarkable achievement at the Paris Olympics with two judo medals, showcasing the talent and determination of its athletes amidst a challenging time for the nation. The success on the judo mat brought excitement and pride to a country grappling with complex challenges.

Inbar Lanir secured a silver medal in the Women’s -78kg category, putting on a strong performance throughout the day. Lanir began her journey by defeating Khuslen Otgonbayar of Mongolia in the round of 16, followed by a victory over Guusje Steenhuis of Holland in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, Lanir overcame Germany's Anna-Maria Wagner with an impressive Ippon, guaranteeing a medal for Israel.

However, in the gold-medal bout, Lanir faced a tough opponent in Italy's Alice Bellandi. Bellandi controlled the match's pace, scoring a Waza-ari three minutes into the fight. Despite Lanir's efforts, she received three penalties for non-combativity, resulting in a silver medal. "I wanted to break the glass ceiling and win a gold medal in judo, which would have been the country’s first," Lanir expressed, reflecting on her performance with pride and gratitude for her coach, Shani Hershko. "I felt that it was possible, especially because of my coach. It’s tough to be happy falling in the final, but still, it’s an amazing accomplishment, and it was a privilege to put on this performance."

Following Lanir's bout, Israel President Isaac Herzog personally congratulated her, highlighting the significance of her achievement amid the nation's current struggles. “What an incredible accomplishment winning a silver medal, it’s incredible. Today is the 300th day since October 7 and the country is in a tough situation, but you have given us light in the darkness and a wonderful moment. We are so excited for you,” Herzog stated.

Earlier in the day, Peter Paltchik captured Israel's first medal of the Games with a dramatic performance in the Men’s -100kg category. Paltchik faced Daniel Eich in the bronze-medal match, securing a victory with a score of 1-0. His path to the podium began with wins over Mongolia's Gonchigsuren Batkhuyag and local favorite Aurelien Diesse from France, achieved in Golden Score with yellow cards in the round of 16.

Paltchik's journey included a setback in the quarterfinals, where he was defeated by World Champion Zelym Kotsoiev from Azerbaijan. This loss led him to the Repechage round, where he triumphed over Michael Korrel from Holland, setting the stage for his bronze-medal clash with Eich. A crucial Waza-ari scored early in the bout gave Paltchik the lead. Despite receiving two yellow cards for non-combativity and grip avoidance, he held on to secure the win, with the referee overturning a third yellow card decision in the final seconds.

An emotional Paltchik dedicated his victory to his family and the memory of Omer, Oren’s son, who was killed in battle. “I can’t describe in words the feelings that I’m going through right now,” Paltchik said tearfully. “Nothing ever comes easy for me. The time we’re going through in the country, the war, the injuries, the people we won’t see anymore. I just wanted to make everyone happy. My family, who sacrifices so much. I dedicate this to my entire family; I want them to have a hero who fought for everyone.”

Paltchik's coach, Oren Smadja, who lost his son in the conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip, shared his thoughts on the achievement. “We had a very difficult day. We knew we were coming here with our backs against the wall, but each bout raised his confidence. This was huge. I came here with a lot of emotions, and this is a moment of joy alongside the personal grief of losing my son Omer. Our country is experiencing trauma, and this is the best public relations there is; we made amazing history.”

Looking ahead, Israeli judoka Raz Hershko will compete in the +78kg category on Friday, with a strong chance of securing a medal. Additionally, the team event on Saturday presents another opportunity for Israel to add to its medal tally, aiming to replicate the bronze medal success from the previous Olympics.

Beyond judo, Israeli athletes made notable strides in other sports. In swimming, Anastasia Gorbenko advanced to the semifinals of the women’s 200m Backstroke, while Meron Cheruti progressed to the semifinals in the men’s 50m freestyle. Ron Polonsky delivered an impressive performance, securing a place in the semifinals of the 200m Individual Medley.

In sailing, Omer Vered Vilenchik and Tom Reuveny showcased their skills, with Reuveny moving into second place overall. On the women’s side, Sharon Kantor also achieved a second-place standing, demonstrating Israel's prowess in maritime sports.

As the Olympic Games continue, Israel’s athletes remain focused on delivering exceptional performances, inspired by the resilience and spirit of their nation. Share this story and subscribe to our newsletter for more inspiring stories of Israeli sports achievements on the world stage.