After about five years of hard work, during which he was crowned world champion and twice European champion, Sagi Muki (29) arrived at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as one of the candidates to win the gold medal.
In the end, Muki, who competes in the weight category up to 81 kg, was already eliminated in the quarterfinals in Japan, but a few days later he knew how to collect himself, and with his judo teammates got on the podium and celebrated winning a bronze medal in the team competition.
Starting today (11:00), two and a half years before the opening of the Paris Olympics in 2024, Muki is launching a new campaign, in which he will try to become the first Israeli athlete to go the furthest in all three important competitions.
Just before he went on the mat at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam competition, which is being held in Israel for the second time in history, Muki gave a special interview to "Israel Today".
"As long as I can do judo - I will," Muki declares in his opening remarks.
"This is the place I love, my natural place. I enjoy it so much, and even when it's hard sometimes in training, I enjoy it that way. I will continue in it as long as my body allows it."
What led to the decision to continue?
"I always knew I wanted to go on to Paris. It seemed a bit far-fetched to me, and I tried to think only of Tokyo. After the bronze medal in the team competition, I have the energy to do the great things I want to do, whether it be to be world champion for the second time, to be champion again. "Europe and if it's to be an Olympic champion - something I really want."
Sagi Muki at the 2019 World Championships, Photo: EPA
Was it part of the decision?
"It could be related. I'm competitive and want to be at the top of the podium, and sure even if I came back from Tokyo with two bronze medals - it would not satisfy me. I want to get as far as I did in the big competitions in the past. "After a difficult week, where I overcame a loss and had to put everything aside and come hungry. When I competed against a Russian athlete in the category above me (90 kg; AA), I had a lot of desire to win, and that's what I brought on this big day."
What does it mean for you to win the team medal in Tokyo?
"It's a medal that symbolized determination and fighting. This week we all got up from losses and came to give it our all. A lot of things went through our minds. Usually we have a week between competitions, and there we had no time to digest, but the desire was so strong and the fact I knew I was not finished yet. My mission - made it happen. "
How did you deal with the criticism of failure in personal competition?
"I did not read or see anything. I did not comment, it did not interest me and really passed me by. What interested me was to focus on what I was supposed to do. After we got the medal and returned to Netanya - everyone hugged and kissed. I wish this media culture knew how to contain both directions."
Muki with the medal from Tokyo, Photo: Alan Shiver
Corona had a part in it?
"I learned to manage within the Corona situation. With or without Corona - I decided to continue."
You are not getting any younger.
"I feel good. We went back to training two months after Tokyo, and I feel it's developing now the way I want. I want to go back to the same feelings and strengths I had in 2019, I know I can go back there. It's all a matter of patience and proper work, and of knowing how to put together The puzzle so that everything connects.
"As a mature athlete I see things differently. I have a lot more experience, I know how to manage myself properly and neutralize the less important things. Half a year before Tokyo I was offered all kinds of reality shows, campaigns and lectures. I put everything aside, I wanted to dedicate everything to Tokyo "Knowing that I landed in the country after the Olympics when I was whole with myself, and not be disappointed that I could have done more, it would have eaten me and stayed with me for a long time."
How do you deal with injuries?
"I train well. Now at the training camp in Georgia I ran 20 km in the mountains and was among the first, including the locals.
I have a lot of desire, and I do not compromise.
Age is only a number.
As long as the body gives and allows - I will continue. "
Let's talk about the Tel Aviv Grand Slam.
"It's always fun to go back and compete in front of the home crowd. At the European Championships, six months after the injury, I was moved by the thought of standing at the top of the podium in Tel Aviv and singing the anthem. It helped me get up every morning for treatments. "It's not about our audience, everyone who comes here says it's something special. I'm glad there are international judo competitions in Israel, it's part of our culture."
"Through friendships with Said Moulay we will succeed in changing worlds"
Since that World Cup in Japan, where he won gold, Muki's name has been linked to that of Iranian judoka Said Moulay, who was forced to lose in order to avoid a battle with the Israeli.
Moulay has since been smuggled out of his country and moved to represent Mongolia.
Last year he also came to Israel and was a guest of honor of the Judo Association.
The two maintain a bond of friendship and greet each other, and soon their story will also become a series and a movie.
How did you feel when Said Moulay got on the podium in Tokyo?
"I was very happy for him. He sacrificed a lot, and for me, when we both come back with an Olympic medal - it's a sport victory over politics. This understanding that we can both be friends should permeate people in this country and the world. "The film that is on the way. Through friendships, we will succeed in changing worlds, we will succeed in connecting people and cultures."
Said Moulay.
Sacrificed a lot, Photo: Getty Images
You are active on social networks.
"I really enjoy sharing my followers on a daily basis and with my conduct. I set an example for them, share them with my journey, and it does me good. These are some of the things that motivate me, like the project I did with you during the Corona, to raise half a million shekels. It's an amazing thing, to do good to everyone who needs it. "
Do you live up to your expectations of yourself?
"I do not give up on myself even for a moment. When I was a kid I was asked 'What do you want to be, an Olympic champion or a world champion?'
"I replied that you were both. As far as I was concerned, there was no compromise on anything. I think I did amazing things in Israeli sports - and I will do more. I know I have more power."
When was the last time you cried?
"I cry every now and then. Since Rio 2016 I have become more sensitive, not necessarily because of losses. The journey I went through made me understand what I am worth, this journey made me who I am today. The fact that I did not give up after the disc herniations "C, who would have believed?
It was an exhausting journey, with lots of crying and frustration.
I came back from there a different person and a much better athlete. "
Is there life after judo?
"There are a lot of things in the background. I enjoy lectures in Israel and abroad, for organizations, companies, children.
I had a lecture for the seniors, after which they stood for long minutes to thank me.
Fun to know I'm doing something good and get those feedbacks.
I may be thinking of starting a small judo club, but it's too early. "
What are you missing in life?
"It's a question I think twice about answering, because I'm a guy who relatively likes his privacy, but I would like to start a family."
Do you have a message for beginner judoka?
"Let him love what he does. As long as he wakes up in the morning with a smile, then there is not much left. Just do not forget to dream - and by and large. There are many athletes who turn to me, and I tell them to believe it is possible, not to be afraid to go as far as possible."
How will the journey on the mattresses end?
"Time just flies, and my face is towards Paris 2024. For my part, the journey will not end, and you may write about me when I do judo even at the age of 40. I am not yet planning my retirement."
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