Alice Schlesinger Wins Bronze at World Beach Sambo Championship

Alice Schlesinger, a former Olympic judoka, secured a bronze medal at the World Beach Sambo Championship held in Brazil over the weekend. The competition concluded with Israel earning a total of three bronze medals.

Schlesinger, competing in the 72kg category and now a mother of three, reached the podium after losing her semifinal match to a Kazakhstani opponent and subsequently defeating a Moroccan fighter. This latest medal adds to her extensive collection from both judo and sambo disciplines.

Gregory Rodelson also claimed a bronze medal in the 88kg+ category. He won his first match against a Romanian opponent, lost in the fight for the final to a Brazilian, but then defeated a Costa Rican competitor for the bronze.

Israel's national team also secured a bronze medal in the team competition, following a semifinal loss to Russia and a victory over Costa Rica in the bronze medal match. The Israeli delegation was coached by national coach Pavel Musin, who also coaches at Ozma Rishon LeZion and is Schlesinger's husband.

Other Israeli competitors, Cindy Weinstein and Omer Dadon, finished in fifth place in their respective individual events. Coach Musin expressed satisfaction with the three bronze medals, stating, "We came with high expectations and aimed for more medals, but even when not everything went well, we finished with three bronze medals, so we can be satisfied, and most importantly, Israel is on the podium and the Israeli flag is raised on the international stage."