Taekwondo Star Avishag Semberg Recalls Brutal Revenge Attack in South Korea

Avishag Semberg, an accomplished Israeli taekwondo athlete and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, recently shared a harrowing experience from a competition in South Korea several years ago. During the event, she was inexplicably matched against a male opponent. The match ended abruptly after just nine seconds when her opponent delivered a head kick that knocked her unconscious. Semberg described feeling that the organizers deliberately set her up for this "revenge mission," stating, "I felt they were doing it to me on purpose."

The injury was severe, involving brain swelling that required immediate hospitalization. As a result, Semberg was unable to train for a month and a half. Despite this setback, she demonstrated remarkable resilience by competing in the Under-21 European Championship shortly afterward, where she won a bronze medal after three tough victories.

Semberg recounted this episode on the Israeli TV show "Dancing with the Stars," highlighting the physical and emotional challenges she faced in a demanding sport like taekwondo. Her story underscores both the risks athletes endure and her determination to overcome adversity and succeed at the highest levels.