Inbar Lanir stood on the winners' stage of the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, with a gold medal around her neck and tears choking her throat. The 23-year-old judoka has thus sealed a new page in the history books of the sport in Israel.
Lanier is the third all-time world champion in the prestigious competition, after Yarden Jerbi and Sagi Moki, which already places her as one of the serious candidates to win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. During the best day of her life, Lanier ended all her fights with makeups, and didn't let the top-ranked Italian Alice Blandy stop her. In the final, she defeated France's Andrei Chaomeo, the runner-up from Rio 2016, and became a heroine in the Holy Land.
"I never expected it to end with Hatikvah, but I couldn't be happier than that," Lanir told Israel Hayom in a special interview.
The team had a less successful week, how did you overcome that?
"I tried to remind myself that everyone goes their own way. I think the team did a good preparation and everyone gave 100 percent. They all deserved to win a medal, and I was really upset for them. I was even kind of depressed that they didn't make it. I did some work with myself and reminded myself that this is my day, and that it doesn't matter what happened before or after, because at the Olympics it will be like that too. It's a perfect situation when you have to deal with results, when they're good and when they're not – like I had at the European Championships, when everyone won a medal and I didn't."
Inbar Lanir and Shani Hershko are on their way to the final battle. "I reminded myself that this is my day", Photo: Oren Aharoni
What has changed about you?
"I've grown up. I was able to develop peace of mind, remembering that I was worthy even before the fight started and then the outcome didn't matter. When I come with a clear mind to do my judo, and not be afraid to lose or fall or let thoughts affect me, then things come to the fore."
When you arrived in Qatar, did you know you were going to do it?
"Absolutely not. I expected myself to be on the podium, both because I came ranked and because of the conversations with the coaches, and I knew that if I finished off the podium it would be a disappointment, but in my rosiest dreams I didn't expect to finish like this."
It was a perfect day for you, to finish all the fights with makeups.
"I felt good on the mat and I was confident, even in the semi-final against the Italian. I knew it was going to be a tough battle and when I was behind Wazari, I saw I had almost two minutes, and I knew that if I got into my situation, my grip, I only needed it to happen once."
Inbar Lanir. An impressive journey on the way to gold, photo: Oren Aharoni
How do you maintain this ability until the Paris Olympics next summer?
"Nothing will change, I'm doing the same job. Every day tries to be better than yesterday, and that won't change. I have more to do."
You've raised the bar of views now.
"I have my expectations of myself. I know and believe that I can beat anyone in my weight class. It was only a matter of time before I got to these places. Shani wasn't surprised by my win, because he expected it and also told me it before the competition."
What's the most exciting blessing you've received?
"I got a lot of messages, and I didn't get to see it all, but the conversation with my parents and my friend Jonathan was insanely exciting."
Inbar Lanir for the gold medal. Amazing achievement, photo: Oren Aharoni
How are you going to celebrate?
"I have a driving refresher on Monday, so I think I'm going to postpone the festivities. But I'm enjoying it now. Maybe it will take me a year and a half to digest, maybe when I get the red patch on my back that says I'm the world champion. I have a week off, which I'll use to be home and with my friend."
You won a medal while Israel was busy with an operation in the south.
How does it feel to win at a time like this?
"I am happy to dedicate my medal to the residents of the south, who are going through a difficult time, to IDF soldiers and to all citizens of the State of Israel. It was important for me to do something good during such complex and difficult times, and I'm glad I succeeded."
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