Tamar Steinberg Wins Windsurfing World Championship Gold

Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg, 20, clinched the gold medal at the 2026 World Championships held in Great Britain on Saturday. In the women's final, Olympic silver medalist Sharon Kantor, 23, secured second place, while Daniela Peleg, 21, finished fourth. Steinberg dominated the competition from the outset, winning all four opening races and maintaining a significant lead throughout.

Kantor, the reigning 2026 World Champion and 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist, started the event in 16th place but steadily climbed to eighth before a strong surge placed her third and ultimately into the final. The championship in Britain was the largest and most significant to date, featuring approximately 250 athletes from over 40 nations.

Both athletes were supported by Israeli national team coach Shahar Tzuberi, a bronze medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Steinberg was also coached by her father, Gur Steinberg, a former coach of the men's national team for three Olympics.

In the men's final, Olympic champion Tom Reuveny qualified but was disqualified after a race was voided and re-sailed, resulting in a third-place finish and no podium spot. Steinberg expressed her long-held desire for the title, stating her clear intention to win from the start and her happiness that it came to fruition. Kantor reflected on her satisfaction with her performance despite a challenging year with injuries, acknowledging Steinberg's superior performance. Tzuberi praised the team's preparation and the support from the professional staff and the association, highlighting the team's consistent success at the highest level.

Separately, 18-year-old judoka Yitzhak Aspiz won a gold medal at the Grand Slam in Budapest on Friday, defeating his French opponent by ippon in the under-60kg category, marking his third senior career medal.