When was the last time you felt proud?
"Winning the Olympic medal in Tokyo. To the self-pride was added the pride in the team and the national pride. Without a doubt I was also very proud of the Tel Aviv Grand Slam that took place in February of this year, especially because it was in Israel, in front of my wife, my family, the sponsors and coaches who accompany me and don't always get to be with me abroad "To.
The Israeli audience is one of the audiences that understand judo very well.
The best audience in the world is of course in Japan, and there are France and Georgia, but the Israeli audience is undoubtedly in the Top 5 of the audiences."
When was the last time you spoke to your mother?
"Today. We talk on a daily basis or once every two days. My mother, Elsa, lives in her room and always gave me strength and good advice. Every chance I get and I'm in Israel, I make sure to meet with her, my sister and my nieces.
"For years I had no contact with my father. My parents divorced when I was 4 years old. I tried to contact him not because I was looking for a father figure but because I wanted to help him, but it didn't work. A year ago I was informed that he passed away. It was right after the Olympics in Tokyo . I just came back from there and I had thoughts about meeting him, but it was too late for him. He was killed in a car accident, he wasn't even 50 years old."
When was the last time you raced?
"Last October, at the World Championships, and I finished seventh. The distant goal is the Paris Olympics in 2024. I have many important goals on the way, for example the Masters competition in Jerusalem. This is the most prestigious competition we have ever hosted. Athletes are invited to it if they are already ranked and it gives a lot Points for the Olympics. I got three medals there, and I hope the next one I get will be
the fourth for the collection."
When was the last time you were weighed?
"Every evening I step on the scale. There are times when I close my eyes so as not to see the result...
I compete in the weight category up to 66 kg.
I can't weigh 66.100 kg on a day because I'm 66.
I have to be in constant control of my weight. I always know what my weight is, it's from experience. I know what my physical condition is. There are times when I have to be precise about my weight, and there are Periods where you can give a 'cheat day' or two and eat a little more. My great love is salty, good meat, hamburger and shawarma. I also like sweets, but that's not the main thing. The body is a machine that needs good things, and every drop of oil or c "Ank will be felt in the next training session. I like to eat and I'm human, in the end humanity is my strongest feature (laughs)."
Baruch Shmailov after the huge achievement.
Gold for Israel already on the first day of the Tel Aviv Grand Slam, photo: Oren Aharoni
When was the last time you visited a doctor?
"At the World Championships I received a bomb in the eye socket, and it was closed for a few days. I saw a doctor abroad.
He arranged for me a bandage that draws the blood out of the eye, so that there is not too much blood accumulation, and today I am almost completely healthy.
I have several injuries in my elbows, so I received an injection of hyaluronic acid, which is supposed to soften and flex the joints so that I can move more smoothly.
"We athletes have a free monthly pass to Meir Hospital.
We get injured all the time.
Judo is a sport with a lot of injuries, because when you try to push the body to its limit, you injure it.
It is impossible to avoid it and it is impossible not to meet it, but we do what is possible.
A good night's rest and good nutrition are important to maintain the body and achieve a good sporting life expectancy.
"An average judoka has a career until the age of 32-33, and in my weights there are those who can do even more. I'm not thinking right now when I'll finish but when my body won't be able to give more than it can. Right now I have a lot more to give."
When was the last time you were scared?
"I am not afraid of almost anything. When it concerns me I have no fear, but when it concerns my relatives I am afraid. This happened with Bruno, our dog. Before I flew to the world championship he had sensitivity in his stomach and we took him to the doctor, who said he needed surgery. In the end , it ended with antibiotic treatment and he recovered like a big man, but in those moments I was scared. It was before the world championship when I was all focused on it, and I told Oren (Smadja, the men's coach of the judo team, 27) that I wasn't coming to training.
He was angry but I explained the situation to him and he understood.
He has a dog himself and he forgave me."
When was the last time you prayed?
"I believe in many small prayers, not anything religious. I believe in God, but I believe more in people, in being a good person. I did not grow up in a religious home, but I did go to an elementary religious school. I did not grow up to be a big believer. I do stick to tradition, I celebrate Holidays and I feel part of the Jewish identity, our anthem moves me more than anything. I truly feel our Zionist national pride, in my whole body."
When was the last time you met someone you admire?
"Today. I am inspired by every great athlete, and I have met several of them. In terms of true admiration, I admire my mother and my wife. They are proof that women are stronger than anything else. My mother raised me and my sister in difficult conditions and brought me to where I am today. My wife Although she is two years younger than me, she is a much more mature and stronger person than me."
"When I came back from a competition, I was informed that my father had passed away, I couldn't help him."
Baruch Shamailov, photo: Eric Sultan
When was the last time you saw a psychologist?
"This week. I meet with my psychologist Elad on a regular basis, one meeting a month, where we talk about the career and also about personal things. This is very important. We learn a lot about ourselves when we flood things.
"I'm pretty sure I'll pay a price for my career as an athlete, but I've learned from my experience a lot of important things about the road and the importance of enjoying it and small successes. We think we'll only be happy when we achieve a big goal, and I say, teach yourself to be happy where you are." .
When was the last time you gave or received good advice?
"I just now received good advice from Arthur Kataev from the coaching staff, after I was disappointed with a judge's decision and especially with myself. He told me a beautiful sentence: 'I understand you. You have exactly 24 hours to be in Basa, and start working again'. And this applies to everything. In any situation That I feel disappointed, I understand and decide that it's for a limited time. It's okay to feel that way, but you have to know how to put a stop to it and keep working for the things you want to achieve."
when was the last time you spent
"If I have time, my wife and I fly to a destination we haven't been to, have fun and explore it. I like extremes and fast and scary things like snowboarding, and whenever I have the opportunity I surf and dive. I don't like getting injured, but it involves my enjoyment. I will go to clubs if there is A reason for a party. We like to meet with friends. I sometimes go out on the weekend if I want to relax, drink one beer if the weight allows and gather strength for a new week.
I have time for friends, but really not much.
For hobbies, for example, I have no time at all."
When was the last time you checked your checking account?
"I usually don't check my checking account.
I invest in my work and development, and my sponsors give me peace of mind.
I used to look and the situation was horrible, but today it is better.
"I came to judo without financial backing, I grew up in very modest conditions. As a beginner athlete you have to fly and start establishing yourself and prove that you are worthy at all, and at that time I had less support and I had to pay with money that I didn't have. As a teenager I worked in all kinds of jobs: I was an operator In an amusement park, a waiter and security guard in bars and clubs, I painted walls and worked in transport, everything possible. My mother turns 50 this week, and she manages a fighting team. For years she helped us, and now it's her turn to give to herself."
When was the last time you were jealous?
"I haven't been jealous for a long time. Jealousy is a waste of time. As a small child I was jealous of others because we didn't have much money, but since then a lot of water has passed in the river. Today I say thank you for everything I have and I don't look at what I don't have. When I was younger, envy did not arise Not because I wanted more material or more possessions, but because of the ease and calm others had. It was not good for me to see my family running around all the time."
"Today I say thank you for everything I have and I don't look at what I don't have."
Baruch Shamailov, photo: Eric Sultan
When was the last time you did something romantic?
"The truth is that I haven't done it in a long time. Since our wedding in May of this year, I haven't really had a rest, and I won't have until the end of December. Because I'm so busy, I insisted that my wife go on a trip with friends, so she flew to Italy.
"One of the things that is most important to me is seeing my wife and my dog. There is loneliness in the camps. Every flight or training camp and every moment I am not with my family, I miss them. I need them close, and this is my best place - with them."
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