The first day of the Tel Aviv Judo Grand Slam, held at the Kvutzat Shlomo Hall, provided the Israeli delegation with two medals, after Baruch Shmailov won the gold medal and Timna Nelson Levy added the bronze, in front of an electrifying atmosphere of 2,500 spectators.
"There is nothing better than a gold medal," said Shmailov, who competes in the weight category up to 66 kg.
There really is no better than that.
I'm happy.
The crowd pushed me to the edge.
At any given moment, I knew I had to attack, even with the golden score when I was exhausted. "
On the fight in the quarterfinals against his friend Tal Flicker added: "It's not fun to compete against a teammate. I love Tal, but every competitor in front of me is first and foremost a competitor, so I put my emotions aside and took this fight on the most professional side there is."
Baruch Shmailov and Timna Nelson Levy after the medals at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam, Credit: Judo Association
Men's national team coach Oren Samadja said: "Baruch functioned in a mature and responsible manner throughout the day of the fights, we just went back to training after the Tokyo Olympics and will slowly climb towards the goals I set in the current campaign for Paris 2024."
Baruch Shmailov in the final.
Finished perfectly, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Nelson Levy (57 kg) was also pleased with the finish: "I had a difficult time because I missed a few competitions and this is my second competition since the Tokyo Olympics.
I return on the right foot and believe that in this campaign I will be better.
I'm happy to finish with a medal.
Of course there is always more to be done and I could go out with the gold again, but I'm happy with how it ended.
There is nothing like the competitions in the country, the audience lifted me up. "
Timna Nelson Levy.
"Settled" in bronze, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Minister of Culture and Sports Hili Trooper: "Baruch Shmailov proves hugely what a champion he is! Congratulations on winning the gold medal. That will only continue like this. "
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