Mixed judo team wins bronze, 2nd medal for Israel at Tokyo Olympics
Israel’s mixed team in judo won a bronze medal at the Olympics on Saturday, the nation’s second medal at the Tokyo games.
The team scored a victory over their Russian opponents in the consolation round of an event that is being held for the first time this year.
In the battle for bronze, Israeli judoka Gili Sharir lost to Madina Taimazova, giving a 1:0 lead to the Russians.
However Sagi Muki took his bout against Mikhail Igolnikov, bringing the Israelis level at 1:1.
Next up was Raz Hershko who beat Aleksandra Babintseva to take the Israelis ahead 2:1, before Peter Paltchik took the score to 3:1.
A final victory for Timna Nelson-Levy gave Israel a 4:1 win and a spot on the podium.
Muki said the whole team had given everything they had to win the medal.
“Everyone here gave their heart and soul, and together we did it,” he said.
After a week of losses for Israel’s judokas, Paltchik said that the team had finally come together on Saturday.
“Everyone had a week that was very disappointing on a personal level, but something about this special day led to everyone giving a little more for the team, and that’s what made the difference,” he said of the victory. “We were eulogized too soon.”
The biggest winners and losers in the Tokyo #Olympics:
— Emily Schrader - ????? ?????? (@emilykschrader) July 31, 2021
? IDF soldier Avishag Semberg winning ??
? Iranian defector Saeed Mollaei’s silver??dedicated to Israel
? Saudis and Israelis together for sport ???? ????
?Iran sending an IRGC terrorist#tokyo2020
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