JUDO WORLDS – Israel wins its most medals

Photograph: Inbar Lanir with her gold medal at the Judo World Championships in Doha. 

Israel won its largest judo world championships medal haul, claiming one gold and two bronzes at the 2023 edition in Doha last week, to place fourth overall.

Inbar Lanir (pictured), 23, won the gold, defeating France’s Audrey Cheumeo in the women’s under-78kg bodyweight division final.

On her way there, she beat four opponents, including number one- ranked Alice Bellandi from Italy, via a match-ending throw.

“I’m happy to dedicate my medal to the residents of the south [of Israel], who are going through a difficult period,” Lanir said.

“It was so important for me to do something good during such complex and difficult days, and I’m happy and satisfied I succeeded.”

Lanir became only the third Israeli to win gold at a world championship, after Yarden Gerbi in 2013, and Sagi Muki in 2019.

Also at Doha, Israel’s Peter Paltchik, 31, won bronze in the men’s under- 100kg division and Raz Hershko, 24, won bronze in the women’s open division. Nathan Katz, 28, represented Australia in the men’s under-66kg division, losing to Spaniard Alberto Gaitero in round one.

Credit: AJN