Alice Schlesinger Wins Bronze at World Beach Sambo Championships

Alice Schlesinger secured a bronze medal at the World Beach Sambo Championships held in Brazil over the weekend, contributing to Israel's total of three bronze medals at the event. Schlesinger, competing in the 72kg category, is a former Olympic judoka and mother of three. She reached the semifinals, where she was defeated by a Kazakhstani competitor, but then won against a Moroccan fighter to claim the bronze.

Also earning a bronze medal was Gregory Rodelson in the 88+kg category. Rodelson defeated an opponent from Romania in his first match, lost to a Brazilian in the fight for the finals, and then secured bronze by defeating a competitor from Costa Rica.

Israel also won a team bronze medal. The Israeli national team lost in the semifinals to Russia but won the bronze medal match against Costa Rica.

Other Israeli competitors, Cindy Weinstein and Omer Dadon, finished in fifth place in their respective individual categories.

National coach Pavel Musin, who is also Schlesinger's husband and head coach at Oz Raanana, expressed mixed satisfaction. "We came with high expectations and aimed for more medals, but even when not everything went our way, we finished with three bronze medals, so we can be satisfied," Musin stated. "The main thing is that Israel is on the podium and the Israeli flag is raised on the international stage."