Israeli Jiu-Jitsu Champion Honors Fallen Friend with Gold Medal

Israeli jiu-jitsu fighter Yarin Shriki recently honored his late friend Yochai by winning a gold medal at the European Championship in Germany. Overcoming personal trauma and the odds, Shriki's victory was a testament to his resilience and dedication to his country and fallen friends.

Shriki, a survivor of the tragic events on October 7th, expressed his profound dedication during a conversation with JNS. “I dedicated my championship medal to my best friend Yochai who I grew up with. I’ve won a gold medal three times, but this was different,” Shriki shared. “I wanted to sing ‘Hatikvah,’ I wanted everybody to listen. I did not fight for myself, I fought for my flag, for my country and for my friends who died.”

During the championship, Shriki faced Belgian Florian Bayili, the top-ranked jiu-jitsu fighter in the world. Despite being the underdog, Shriki managed to surprise and defeat Bayili in a thrilling final match. Throughout the competition, he wore an outfit inscribed with “Yochai, 7/10/2023,” a tribute to his friend killed in the October 7th attack.

Recounting the harrowing day, Shriki explained that he was recovering from ear surgery and had been advised to avoid strenuous activity. However, he decided to attend the Supernova music festival near Kibbutz Re’im with his brothers and friends. The festival turned into a nightmare when an assault began early in the morning. Shriki and his friends scattered in different directions to escape the terrorists. Tragically, four of his friends, including Yochai, were killed.

In the aftermath, Shriki found refuge in Tze’elim for seven hours before safely returning to his hometown of Netanya. Despite the trauma, he resumed training almost immediately, driven by a desire to honor his fallen friends and represent Israel with pride. His dedication paid off when he clinched a gold medal in the men’s under-69 kg Gi category at the Paris Jiu Jitsu 2024 Grand Prix.

Shriki's journey is a powerful reminder of the strength and unity within the Israeli community. “My message to Jews around the world is that we need to unite, be stronger and win this war. We are not only fighting in Gaza, we are fighting in the media and we are fighting those in the world who believe nonsense,” he emphasized.

Shriki's victory is more than a personal triumph; it is a symbol of perseverance and the enduring spirit of Israel. Celebrate and support Israel's champions by sharing this story or subscribing to our newsletter for more inspiring updates.