Israeli Maya Bechar Wins Silver at World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi

The Israeli national team began the senior competition phase at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Abu Dhabi with a remarkable silver medal win by Maya Bechar in her debut appearance. The final match against the reigning Abu Dhabi world champion was intensely close until the last seconds, captivating the audience who gave a standing ovation to both athletes for their high-level performance.

Alongside Bechar, Noga Reshef placed fifth in the under-63 kg category, and Maya Day finished fifth in the under-52 kg division. Additionally, competitors Mark Lipetz, Omri Haviv, and Meitar Rosenfeld each finished fifth after losing in the semifinals in the under-56, 62, 69, and 77 kg weight classes, following tough battles against the world’s top jiu-jitsu athletes.

The competition continues with heavier weight categories scheduled for the final day. Erez Elroi, president of the Israeli Jiu-Jitsu Federation, praised Bechar’s impressive transition to the senior category and the entire team’s strong and determined performances, attributing the success to sustained professional training and the dedicated coaching staff.

Eric Kaplan, president and CEO of "Eilat" Federation, the umbrella organization for non-Olympic sports, hailed the silver medal as a significant honor for Israeli sports and expressed optimism for future achievements, pledging continued support for the athletes and federation to proudly represent Israel on the global stage.