Winners... and losers
OLYMPICS YARDEN Gerbi’s bronze judo medal salvaged a disappointing start to the Olympics for the Israeli squad.
Sagi Muki, the country’s other great judo hope, won three bouts in the men’s under 73 kilogram category, before losing in the semi-finals to Azerbaijan’s Rustam Orujov. He then lost in the bronze medal competition to Georgia’s Lasha Shavdatuashvili.
Muki, 24, said: “I’m kind of disappointed because it was my dream. I’m not settling for just anything. That’s how I was raised. It’s painful and uncomfortable, but if I’m looking at two months back, who would have thought I’d manage to get on the mat. They were the hardest two months of my life as an athlete.”
Muki went on to reflect on his battle to overcome injuries to make the plane to Brazil.
“Two months ago I tore an ankle ligament just before the Masters tournament. One month before the Olympics and really hurt my lower back -— the worst thing that could happen. That made my preparations for the Olympics very difficult.
“But I was raised to fight and not give up. I try to look insanely optimistic about everything. At the end of the day I’m happy that in spite of the crisis I’ve proved to myself that no matter what, I can handle anything. I’ve dealt with these injuries like a lion. I want to thank my coach Oren Smadja, who has always been there to guide me since I was four years old.”
Another judoka, Linda Bolder, lost the chance for a bronze medal by losing in the consolation round to a Spanish competitor, over a penalty call.
Bolder, competing in the 70 kilogram category, had earlier lost a quarter-final match to Britain’s Sally Conway, who won the match by an ippon. Earlier Bolder had qualified for the quarterfinal by defeating South Korean Kim Seong-yeon, besting her in a wazari. She also beat Yolanda Bukasa Mabika of the refugee Olympic team with an ippon.
Israel’s sailors were off the pace in Rio, with Maayan Davidovich in sev- enth spot with 11 points after three races in the Women’s RS:X, while Hahar Zubari held 16th position.
In swimming, Yakov Toumarkin, 24, failed in his bid to reach the semi-finals of the 100m breast-stroke. He finished his heat in seventh place in 54:66.
Amit Ivry finished her 100m heat in 1:09:42, while Andrea Murez was forced to withdraw from the 100m backstroke heats due to illness.
Yakov Toumarkin limped out in the heat while big hope Gal Nevo failed to make a final place.
In cycling, Shani Bloch rode into the history books as she completed the tough 137 km Olympic Road Race.
Always with most of the leading contenders and occasionally forcing the pace from the front, Bloch was
without the backing of team riders enjoyed by many others.
A steep and long climb with a highly dangerous descent a few kilometres from the finish, took out the leading rider in a high speed crash, leaving her with multiple fractures, and drastically changed the outcome of the race.
Bloch clocked 4:02:59,in 48th place ahead of many strong competitors, including former world champion Emma Pooley of GB, Christine Armstrong (USA), and 1:26 behind Br o nzi ni ( It a l y ) a nd Worrack (Germany).
She said: “I’m very happy from the fact that I’ve made it to the finish line. It is an enormous satisfaction to meet the designated goal given to me and most of all I am proud to be the trail- blazer to other professional Israeli cyclists in future Olympics”.
In tennis, Dudi Sela lost 3-6, 3-6 to Belgum’s David Goffin after beating Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.
Windsurfer Maya Davidovich moved towards the medal frame in fifth place half way through the women’s competition, but Shahar Zubari, the last Israeli to win a medal in Beijing in 2008, languished in 19th place.
There were also disappointing performances from gymnast Alexander Shatilov who missed out on qualification in gymnastics.
He scoredan impressvde 14.066 on the horizontal bar but still failed to make it rhough. Shooter Sergy Rikhte also missed out.