By Naomi Miller, Israel office
As the 2020 Tokyo Olympics comes to a close, Israel has four reasons to be proud. To date, Israeli athletes have brought home 13 medals since the 1992 Barcelona games, including 2 gold and 2 bronze from Tokyo. The first Israeli medalist ever was Yael Arad, who won silver in judo in Barcelona. Her success paved the way for Israel to become a judo superpower, with 6 of the 13 Israeli Olympic medals clinched thus far by judokas. From Tokyo, the mixed judo team created huge excitement in Israel when they bounced back from a disappointing show in the individual competitions to win the bronze in the group challenge after roundly defeating the Russian team.
Taekwondo brought another Israeli to the podium. Previously unknown 19-year-old Avishag Semberg took the entire country by surprise when she won bronze. She became an instant national hero and has singlehandedly brought recognition and new interest to a lesser-known martial art in Israel.
Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem, has been played only three times in Olympic history. The first time was in Athens in 2004 when Gal Fridman won first place for men’s sailboard. This summer in Tokyo, two Israelis brought home gold, both in the field of gymnastics. The modest 24-year-old Artem Dolgopyat won the gold for men’s floor gymnastics. Artem made Aliyah to Israel from the Ukraine when he was 12. His family was entitled to Israeli citizenship according to Israel’s Law of Return because his paternal grandparents are Jewish. Although his father is Jewish, Artem is not recognized as Jewish according to Israel’s religious laws. He is currently engaged but unable to marry in Israel. His case has brought the issue of civil marriage back to the Israeli headlines.
The second gold medal, the first ever for an Israeli female athlete, was won by 22-year-old Linoy Ashram in individual rhythmic gymnastics. Her victory was exceptionally impressive, as she is the first rhythmic gymnast to break the Russian domination of the sport by taking first place. Innovative athleticism, charm and many years of hard work enabled Linoy to defeat her long-time rivals and bring home the gold, inspiring an entire nation at home.
With Covid numbers rising and the threat of further infections and closures, the Israeli success at the games, along with the joy and energy that the athletes shared with the country, have been a welcome shot in the arm.