Hapoel Center Celebrates 100 Years, Names Israel's Top Athletes and Teams
Translated & summarized from Ice by baba
The Hapoel Center celebrated its 100th anniversary by honoring Israel's top athletes, coaches, and teams of the century. Notable recipients included Olympic gold medalist Linoy Ashram and windsurfer Gal Fridman, alongside historic club achievements by Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hapoel Center celebrated 100 years by honoring top Israeli athletes and teams.
- Linoy Ashram and Gal Fridman were among the honored Olympic athletes.
- Three Hapoel clubs were recognized for historic continental championships.
- The event highlighted Hapoel's role in supporting athletes across generations.
- The organization was founded in 1926 by David Ben-Gurion.
The Hapoel Center, a major Israeli sports organization, marked its centenary on Thursday with a gala event honoring athletes, coaches, and teams that have brought international pride to Israel over the past century. The "Athletes of the Century" list recognized significant achievements across various sports.
In Olympic and Paralympic sports, honorees included rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram, a historic gold medalist in Tokyo, and her coach Ayelet Sussman. Windsurfer Gal Fridman, an Olympic gold and bronze medalist who also coached Tomer Reuveni to a Paris gold, was recognized alongside sailing coach Gur Steinberg. Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur and national coach Yechiam Sharabi, as well as world champion and Paralympic medalist rower Moran Samuel, also received accolades.
Three team sports clubs were celebrated for their historic continental achievements: Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club for winning the 1967 Asian Championship, Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club for winning the 2004 EuroCup, and Hapoel Tel Aviv Basketball Club for winning the 2024 EuroCup.
Recipients expressed deep emotion, with Ashram and Fridman highlighting Hapoel's supportive role in fostering athletes across generations. Hapoel Center Chairman Prosper Ben Hamu and CEO Kinneret Tzadok emphasized the organization's founding in 1926 by David Ben-Gurion and the Histadrut labor federation, noting its continued mission to support champions and develop future talent through its approximately 350 branches nationwide.
Fridman reflected on witnessing Hapoel's support continue from the sidelines as a coach after his own Olympic experience. Ashram expressed her honor in being selected alongside figures like Fridman and hoped her recognition would inspire young girls in Israel to pursue their athletic dreams. The leadership reiterated their commitment to building the next generation of Israeli sports.
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