Paltchik wins gold at Euro Judo Championships
Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik won the gold medal in the under100kg. category on the final day of the European Judo Championships in Prague on Saturday when he defeated the Arman Adamyan of Russia, last year’s winner, in the final bout.
Paltchik, 28, needed a “golden score” wazari in overtime to secure his win after both men ended the set four minutes of their contest and the scoreboard remained blank.
Paltchik reached the final by defeating the Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani in the semi- finals. He began his medal quest by being given a bye into the second round where he beat Ireland’s Benjamin Fletcher and he then went on to defeat Jevgenijs Borodavko of Latvia in the quarter- finals.
The achievement was a personal best for the Israeli judoka, who won bronze at the 2018 European Championships in Tel Aviv and he is hitting fine form ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympics set to take place in July.
Paltchik’s medal was Israel’s second at the Prague championships after Tal Flicker won silver in the under- 66 kg. weight category on Thursday.
President Reuven Rivlin congratulated Paltchik on his achievement, saying that “our hearts warmed at the sight of the summit you conquered tonight in Prague.”
MK Yoel Razbozov of Yesh Atid- Telem, a former judoka who represented Israel at the Olympics, also congratulated Paltchik and said: “Few people know how much Peter Paltchik has gone through in his life and how hard he has worked to get to this wonderful moment.”
He added: “Peter, I and the whole State of Israel are happy for you and are very proud of you. You are an example to our children and youth and you showed them that with will power, hard work and perseverance, anything can be achieved in life. Champion!
Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik won the gold medal in the under100kg. category on the final day of the European Judo Championships in Prague on Saturday when he defeated the Arman Adamyan of Russia, last year’s winner, in the final.
Paltchik, 28, needed a “golden score” wazari in overtime to secure his win after both men ended the set four minutes of their contest and the scoreboard remained blank.
Paltchik reached the final by defeating the Georgia’s Varlam Liparteliani in the semi- finals. He began his medal quest by being given a bye into the second round where he beat Ireland’s Benjamin Fletcher and he then went on to defeat Jevgenijs Borodavko of Latvia in the quarter- finals.
The achievement was a personal best for the Israeli judoka, who won bronze at the 2018 European Championships in Tel Aviv, and he is hitting fine form ahead of the postponed Tokyo Olympics that are set to take place in
July.
Paltchik’s medal was Israel’s second at the Prague championships after Tal Flicker won silver in the under- 66 kg. weight category on Thursday.
President Reuven Rivlin congratulated Paltchik on his achievement, saying that “our hearts warmed at the sight of the summit you conquered tonight in Prague.”
MK Yoel Razbozov of Yesh Atid- Telem, a former judoka who represented Israel at the Olympics, also congratulated Paltchik and said: “Few people know how much Peter Paltchik has gone through in his life and how hard he has worked to get to this wonderful moment.”
He added: “Peter, I and the whole State of Israel are happy for you and are very proud of you. You set an example to our children and youth and you showed them that with will power, hard work and perseverance, anything can be achieved in life. Champion!”