Windsurfer Sharon Kantor Secures Silver at World Championships After Injury-Plagued Year

Olympic silver medalist in windsurfing, Sharon Kantor, achieved second place at the World Championships in England on Saturday, finishing behind teammate Tamar Steinberg. Kantor, who won the world title in 2024 and later secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, stated she has "returned to the game" following this latest achievement.

Her season began with a silver medal at the World Cup in Lanzarote, but was soon hampered by an ankle injury and a head injury sustained during training. These setbacks caused her to miss the European Championships and led to a significant period away from the water, impacting her professional stability. Her performance at the World Championships demonstrated her return to top form and quality.

The next World Championships in Brazil in late January 2027 will be a crucial qualifier for the Olympic Games. Kantor aims to maintain consistency to be the dominant Israeli windsurfer vying for the single Olympic spot, as the competition for qualification has intensified.

Kantor expressed satisfaction with her result, performance, and overall competition, noting the challenging final race against Steinberg. She acknowledged Steinberg's superior performance in the final heat but was pleased with her own progress and resilience, especially after a difficult year marked by injuries. She extended thanks to her coach Shahar Tzuberi, assistant coach Odad Osher, and her sponsors.

Reflecting on the intense competition among Israeli teammates, Kantor described it as feeling like an "in-team training" session, even though it occurred at a world championship. She emphasized her drive to win regardless of who her competitors are.

Coach Shahar Tzuberi lauded the team's excellent performance, highlighting the World Championships as a target event. He praised Kantor's remarkable comeback after a challenging year, proving her capabilities and strong position for the Los Angeles Olympics. Tzuberi noted that while gaps in ability exist, Kantor's performance provides a strong foundation for improvement. He also commended her fighting spirit and ability to climb the rankings after a less-than-ideal start to the championship.

Tzuberi also spoke about his journey as a young coach, focusing on instilling professionalism, organization, and systematic work within the team. He highlighted the support from the association, which enables him to manage the team and foster healthy competition among the athletes. He expressed enjoyment in being part of the positive developments within the sport.