Jonathan Kapitolnik Returns to Compete in Israel, Targets European Championship

High jumper Jonathan Kapitolnik will compete in Israel again on Thursday night at the Jerusalem Grand Slam, his first meet in the country since moving to the United States and joining the University of Illinois. The 23-year-old, who has a personal best of 2.31 meters, is regarded as Israel’s leading high jumper and one of the event’s top names internationally.

Kapitolnik signed a four-year deal with Illinois less than six months ago, hoping to make a professional and technical step forward at one of the sport’s strongest training environments. His start in the United States was interrupted by a leg injury shortly after he arrived, and he missed about three months of competition.

He gradually returned to training and then to competition, clearing 2.15 meters in two meets before the conference championship and 2.21 meters at the conference meet about a month and a half ago. In the interview, he said he was happy to be back in Israel, calling it a place where he feels at home and where the competition style is familiar. “I learned about myself that I am a fighter,” he said, adding that the European Championship is his main goal.

Kapitolnik also said the American system has taught him new things and described his path there as “new” and “interesting.” Looking ahead, he is preparing for the rest of the summer, including the European Championship in Budapest and possibly the Ultimate competition there as well.