Israel opens its Olympic judo qualifying campaign in Mongolia

The first event in the Olympic qualifying period for judo ahead of Los Angeles 2028 begins Friday with the Mongolia Grand Slam. The prestigious tournament will feature 454 judoka from 58 countries, including 15 athletes representing Israel.

Four Israelis enter the new qualifying cycle ranked inside the world top 10 in their weight classes. Raz Hershko, competing in over 78 kg, starts as world No. 1 in the women’s heavyweight category and arrives after winning her second European title two months ago. Team captain Timna Nelson Levy, in up to 57 kg, is ranked No. 2 and comes off a silver medal at the European Championships. Itzhak Ashpiz, 18, is No. 7 in up to 60 kg after taking European bronze, while 20-year-old Yuli Alma Mishiner rounds out the top 10 in over 78 kg.

Israel’s full lineup in Mongolia also includes Tamar Malka, Gefen Primo, Inbal Shemesh, Kerem Primo, Adelina Novitsky, Maya Ghoshen, Yehonatan Albaz, Itay Bibitko, Raam Friedman Zilberstein, Roy Sivan and Yossef Simin. The squad reflects a busy return to competition shortly after the European Championships in Tbilisi, where Israel won three medals.

One notable absence is Inbar Lanir, who injured her shoulder at the European Championships and underwent surgery on Thursday night. She is expected to miss several months, but hopes to recover her ranking and secure Olympic qualification when she returns, as she did before Tokyo 2020.