Teenager Or Ishai Wins Silver at Paralympic Judo Grand Slam

Fourteen-year-old Or Ishai, an Israeli judoka on the autism spectrum, secured a silver medal at the Judo Grand Slam in Lausanne, Switzerland. The competition featured a new, unprecedented Paralympic category alongside the regular event.

Ishai, from Moshav Gilat, competed in the under-57kg category for athletes with functional impairment level 1. Despite being significantly younger than her competitors, some more than twice her age, she reached the final. There, she was defeated by a 20-year-old British opponent via a 'yuko' score, earning her the silver medal. Ishai was the youngest participant in the tournament.

Considered a major prospect for Israeli judo, Ishai trains at the "Otzmat Yifrah" club under coaches Roi and Yoav Yifrah. Her training regimen, previously six sessions per week, will increase to eleven sessions weekly in preparation for the European Championships.

Ishai shared that judo has become her "second home" since she started training after watching her younger sister. She finds empowerment in the sport, stating, "In a fight, it doesn't matter who you are, what matters is how you fight." She thrives on the pressure, concentration, and the moment of stepping onto the mat.

She also highlighted judo's role in teaching her resilience, emphasizing that losses are learning opportunities. Ishai's ultimate ambition is to compete in the Olympics and win a medal, a goal she believes she will achieve, stating, "You will see me on the podium again."