Israel Wins Gold and Bronze at U23 European Judo Championships
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
Israel's Yonatan Kessler won a gold medal and Eli Hayon secured a bronze at the U23 European Judo Championships in Naples. Kessler triumphed in the under-60kg category, while Hayon earned her medal in the under-52kg division. Head Coach Shani Hershko lauded the team's performance, calling it an "exceptional 2026" for Israeli judo.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yonatan Kessler won gold at the U23 European Judo Championships in the under-60kg category.
- Eli Hayon secured a bronze medal for Israel in the under-52kg division.
- The championships are taking place in Naples, Italy.
- Head Coach Shani Hershko praised the athletes' performance and the year for Israeli judo.
- This marks at least one medal for Israel at all 2026 European and World Championships.
Israel secured two medals on the opening day of the U23 European Judo Championships in Naples, Italy. Yonatan Kessler claimed the gold medal in the under-60kg category, becoming the European champion. Eli Hayon earned a bronze medal in the under-52kg division.
Kessler's path to victory included wins against opponents from Ukraine, Armenia, and Georgia before defeating Italy's Pietro Andrini in the final match with a waza-ari. Hayon's journey saw her win by ippon against Ukraine's Tetiana Limzieieva, but she was defeated in the quarterfinals by Serbia's Bojana Savic. She then advanced to the bronze medal match through the repechage, winning by ippon against Georgia's Tatrishvili, and ultimately secured the bronze by defeating Ukraine's Marharyta Miroshnychenko with an ippon hold.
Head Coach Shani Hershko praised the team's performance, highlighting Kessler's "quality and particularly impressive achievement" and Hayon's "excellent judo and a lot of character." Hershko also thanked the Judo Association and its head, Moshe Ponti, for their support. He noted that this achievement caps off an exceptional 2026 for Israeli judo, with at least one medal at every European and World Championship across all age groups, reflecting "professional work, commitment, continuity, and quality depth" in the national teams.
