Yonatan Achdut and Ofek Adir Reach Semifinals at European Open Water Swimming Championship

Israeli swimmers Yonatan Achdut and Ofek Adir advanced to the semifinals in the knockout event concluding the European Open Water Swimming Championship on August 7, 2026. Adir qualified for the semifinals after finishing ninth in the preliminary 1,500-meter race. In the semifinal 1,000-meter race, she placed tenth, about 15 seconds behind the fifth-place finisher who advanced to the final. Achdut also reached the semifinals by a photo finish, securing the tenth and last qualifying spot. In the semifinal, he finished ninth, nine seconds short of the fifth place needed to move on to the final.

This championship marked the first European Open Water event for the Israeli team since the retirement of veteran swimmer Matan Roditi. The team is currently rebuilding and faced a particularly strong European field, including top swimmers from leading nations in the sport. The Israeli Swimming Association expressed particular encouragement over Adir's performance in the 5-kilometer race, where she stayed competitive within the leading pack and finished just 1 minute and 15 seconds behind the winner.