Victorian athletes bring home 16 medals from the Maccabiah Games

Victoria’s athletes have returned from the 2026 Maccabiah Games with an impressive collection of medals and results across swimming, Maccabi Man, table tennis, tennis and running.

Australia’s masters swimmer, Alida Lipton, medalled in all 10 of her events, winning one gold, six silver and three bronze medals.

Alida won gold in the mixed 4x50m medley relay as part of a composite team with three Canadian swimmers. Her six silver medals came across the 100m and 200m breaststroke, 100m freestyle and three relay events. She also claimed bronze in the 50m freestyle, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.

Barry Lipp also delivered an outstanding series of performances, winning four gold medals and one silver across the Maccabi Man competition.

Barry claimed gold in the duathlon, half-marathon and cycling time trial, with his combined results earning him the overall Maccabi Man title. He also won silver in the three-kilometre open-water swim.

‘Those results were way beyond my expectations,’ Barry said. ‘But after winning the duathlon, I felt if I really focused on every remaining event, I might just have a chance.’

Australian flag bearer Sam Parasol OAM added another Maccabiah medal to his remarkable record, winning bronze in the men’s 70+ table tennis singles at his 10th Maccabiah Games.

Victoria was also represented on the tennis court by Darion Pohl and Lior Rauchberger. The pair finished fourth in the men’s masters 50+ doubles, while Darion placed fourth and Lior fifth in the singles.

Daniel Goldman and Tim Goodman represented Victoria in the Maccabi Run events. Overall Daniel placed fourth and Tim fifth in the men’s 50-54 category.

For a small Australian team of just 14 athletes, the Games held particular meaning following months of uncertainty.

‘We were just so happy to be able to be here representing Australia,’ Alida said. ‘The Israelis were so appreciative that we came.’

‘I’m really proud of each member of our team, because they have gone to an enormous degree of effort and commitment just to be here.’ Barry said.

Congratulations to Maccabi Victoria’s 2026 Maccabiah representatives:

Alida Lipton, masters swimming
Barry Lipp, Maccabi Man
Sam Parasol, table tennis
Darion Pohl, masters tennis
Lior Rauchberger, masters tennis
Daniel Goldman, Maccabi Run
Tim Goodman, Maccabi Run