Cohen leads the way
SPORT SAM Cohen expressed pride after winning two medals at the Pan American Maccabi Games in Mexico City.
Competing in the Masters category for the first time, Cohen won gold in the women’s doubles, together with Sharoni Goldberg from Chile, and silver in the women’s singles.
“It was another amazing Maccabi experience with Team GB,” said Cohen. “Twenty years ago, I brought home silver in junior singles from my first Games in Stirling, Scotland after an experience that changed my life. I’m chuffed to be bringing home two medals in my first Masters Maccabi experience. But what it is really all about is the fun, Jewish pride, community and friendships. I always feel so lucky to have the chance to represent MGB who have given me so many special experiences and hopefully many more to come.”
MGB’s three Masters’ football teams returned home empty-handed. The over35s were defeated by Mexico, USA, Chile and Argentina before drawing their final two games against Brazil and USA. O35 manager Dan Jacobs said: “While the results tell one story, they don’t paint the picture of an incredible adventure. Our superb squad gave their all in every game, superbly led by skipper Alex Levack. On another day, every result could have been different but it wasn’t to be.”
The O45s, led by Darryl Lee MBE and Adam Solomons, finished in fifth place following a defeat against Mexico, playing at The Reforma Athletic Club, which hosted the England 1986 World Cup squad, and draws against Peru, USA and Chile.
Lee said: “We didn’t get the results we wanted. The margins were very fine and we had chances in every game. The heat and altitude put us at a big disadvantage to our South American rivals and ultimately we were undone by our lack of goals in a very tight tournament.”
Solomons said: “Winning medals is getting harder each time as the standard of football continues to improve across all Maccabiah Masters teams.”
The O55s finished fifth in their sixteam tournament, despite winning two matches and drawing another.
“We played five matches in seven days, including two games in 24 hours at high altitude which was hard on the boys,” said Arthur Duke of the O55s team.”
Reflecting on the Games, which featured 3,000 athletes and an Opening Ceremony that attracted more than 15,000 supporters, MGB head of delegation Brian Green said: “The camaraderie within this squad was second to none. Combined with the fantastic organisation and unbelievable hospitality from our hosts, it made this one of the best Games ever.”