Two New Israeli U23 Athletics Records Set at National Championship in Jerusalem

The 90th Israeli Athletics Championship concluded on July 21, 2026, at the Givat Ram Stadium in Jerusalem after two days of competition featuring notable performances across various events. Two new Israeli U23 records were established: Noam Mamo set a new U23 record in the 400 meters with a time of 46.58 seconds, while Jordan Mental broke both the U23 and U20 pole vault records by clearing 4.16 meters.

Other standout athletes included Gal Ard, who won the 200 meters, and Karwan Halabi Kabbalan, who secured a double victory in the 1,500 and 800 meters, both earning the title of championship MVPs. Olympic athlete Blessing Afrifah was absent due to a hamstring injury and will miss the upcoming European Championships in Birmingham, focusing on rehabilitation in Israel.

In the hammer throw, Estelle Valano (Maccabi Tel Aviv) won gold with a throw of 50.40 meters, narrowly beating Israeli record holder Evgenia Zabolotni (Maccabi Rishon LeZion), who threw 49.92 meters. Romi Tamir (Maccabi Tel Aviv) achieved her third consecutive triple jump championship with a winning jump of 13.12 meters. Hila Versano (Maccabi Tel Aviv) set a new Israeli U18 record in the 400-meter hurdles, clocking 59.53 seconds, breaking the one-minute barrier for the first time and preparing for the World Youth Championships in Eugene, Oregon next month.

In men's 400-meter hurdles, Omri Shiff (Leader Netanya) defended his title with a time of 51.76 seconds. Noa Levi (Maccabi Rishon LeZion) won the women's 400 meters for the sixth time in her career, finishing in 48.42 seconds during a peak season. Yishai Ephraimov (Leader Netanya) claimed gold in the long jump with a 7.66-meter leap on his final attempt, surpassing Eden Sela and Nikita Mirkin.

Menachem Chen Mendel (Maccabi Rishon LeZion) won the shot put with 18.76 meters after placing second in discus the previous day. Lev Skorish (Maccabi Tel Aviv) took the pole vault title with a 5.10-meter jump. Igor Knyazev (Hapoel Emek Hefer) ended his season by winning the hammer throw with 54.27 meters. In the women's high jump, Veronica Prodnikov (Maccabi Rishon LeZion) won gold by clearing 1.65 meters on her first attempt. Margarita Dorozhon (Atleti Negev) won the javelin with a season-best 47.27 meters.