Jordana Gergi Celebrates 37th Birthday with Milestones from Judo to TV and Family Life
Jordana Gergi, one of Israel's most celebrated athletes, marked her 37th birthday with a look back at her remarkable journey from a young judo prodigy to a multifaceted public figure. Born and raised in Netanya, Gergi began training in judo at age six, with her parents supporting her early international competition ambitions.
In 2013, she made history as the first Israeli to win a gold medal at the Judo World Championships, dominating all five matches by ippon. Her signature move, known as the "Gergi choke," was so effective that it was subsequently banned by the International Judo Federation. That same year, she reached the top of the world rankings in the under-63 kg category and was named the best judoka globally.
Gergi continued to break barriers by winning a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, becoming only the second Israeli woman to earn an Olympic medal. Her return to Israel was celebrated by thousands at Ben Gurion Airport. Despite still being at the peak of her career, she retired in 2017 at age 28, citing a loss of internal motivation.
Post-retirement, Gergi transitioned into television and entertainment, participating in "Survivor VIP," hosting "Ninja Israel," winning "MasterChef VIP," competing in "Dancing with the Stars," and acting in the film "The Ring." She also engaged in philanthropy, auctioning her competition name tags to raise nearly 200,000 shekels for the pediatric oncology department at Ichilov Hospital.
Academically, Gergi earned a bachelor's degree in economics and management from the Open University and now delivers lectures worldwide on excellence, stress management, and success. In 2025, she married her partner Adi Ambar, and in May 2026, they welcomed their daughter, Noel, marking a new chapter in her personal life.
