Israeli Judokas Eye World Championship Podium in Baku
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Judoka and Raz Hershko are top medal hopes for Israel at the World Judo Championships.
- The Baku championships are Israel's most important judo event since the 2024 Paris Olympics.
- The Judoka is a young, in-form judoka ranked second globally.
- Hershko is an experienced Olympic silver medalist aiming for her first world title.
- Several Israeli judokas are injured, forcing the team to withdraw from the team event.
Israel is pinning its hopes on young judoka the Judoka and the experienced Raz Hershko to secure medals at the upcoming World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. The competition, which begins Sunday, marks the most significant event for Israeli judo since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Israel achieved considerable success.
The Judoka, 18, is entering the tournament in strong form, having recently won a gold medal at the Grand Slam in Budapest and a bronze at the European Championships. He is currently ranked second globally in his weight class and will open the competition for Israel in the under-60kg category. Hershko, 28, a silver medalist at the Paris Olympics, aims to win her first World Championship title. Her last World Championship medal was a bronze in Doha three years ago. She is also a former Olympic team bronze medalist from the Tokyo Games.
Israel will be represented by eleven judokas, six women and five men. While the Judoka and Hershko are the primary medal contenders, Tamar Nelson Levy (under-57kg) and Gefen Primo (under-52kg) also have the potential to reach the podium. The Israeli team will not compete in the team event due to several injuries, particularly among the women, including Inbar Lanir who is returning from a long layoff.
The article notes that Azerbaijan is a welcoming host country for Israelis, referencing the positive experience of Hapoel Beer Sheva football club during a Champions League playoff match there. The Israeli delegation hopes the Judoka's opening day performance will be dramatic and successful, potentially making him the youngest Israeli to medal at a World Championship.
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