Israeli judokas win 3 medals at World Judo Championships 2023 in Qatar
Israeli judokas won three medals at the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar this weekend.
On Friday, Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir won gold after defeating both Polish, Slovenian, Chinese and Italian opponents on her way to victory. In the finals, she defeated the French judoka Audrey Tcheumeo, known for her Olympic and European Championships wins. The International Judo Federation called Lanir’s victory a “surprise,” referring to Tcheumo’s no less than 36 medals, “the most decorated French judoka in history” as the federation called her.
Lanir is only the third Israeli to win a gold medal in judo after Yarden Jarbi won one in 2013 and Shagia Muki in 2019.
Lanir made a point to mention the situation in Israel as she received her medal.
“I’m happy to dedicate my medal to the residents of the south who are going through a difficult period, to IDF soldiers and to all the State of Israel,” she said. “It was so important for me to do something good during such complex and difficult days, and I’m happy and satisfied that I succeeded.”
Israeli Sports and Culture Minister Miki Zohar said Lanir’s win had been “wonderful news for the people of Israel.”
“All the people of Israel are proud of her win. Especially at this moment, she brought all of us satisfaction and happiness,” Zohar said.
Two other Israeli judokas won bronze medals. Peter Paltchik won bronze on Friday and Raz Hershko, a 24-year old judoka, who also won the Tel Aviv Grand Slam and the Tbilisi Grand Slam earlier this year, took home the third medal, a bronze.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
