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The Paris Olympics have come to an end, but the celebration for Israeli athletes is just beginning. After securing seven medals in France, the blue-and-white delegation has set a new standard for future success.
Each competitor is now looking forward to the next Games, slated for 2028 in Los Angeles, with hopes of building on their achievements.
A Historic Performance
The Israeli Judo team had a standout performance at the Paris Olympics, winning two silver medals and a bronze, surpassing the previous record of two medals won in 2016 and 1992.
In Barcelona, Israel won its first-ever Olympic medals thanks to judokas Yael Arad and Oren Smadja, establishing judo as one of the country’s cornerstone sports.
Back in Israel, the nation’s judokas are now taking time to rest and reflect on their achievements. One such athlete is Raz Hershko, who won a silver medal in the women’s +78kg competition.
Hershko’s journey to the gold-medal bout was impressive, although she ultimately fell short of the top spot on the podium.
Nonetheless, her silver medal is a significant accomplishment for Hershko and for Israel, especially in light of the challenges the country has faced since the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7.
The Path to Silver
“I haven’t digested it yet,” Hershko said, roughly two weeks after winning silver in Paris. “It’s amazing and it was a dream come true. It was something that I wanted for such a long time and I worked so, so hard for that moment.”
“I don’t know when I’ll be able to finally sit back and understand the magnitude of my accomplishment, but I am sure that it will be soon. Until then, I am living the moment and I keep revisiting it in my mind time and time again.”
Hershko’s silver journey began by defeating Marit Kamps from the Netherlands via Ippon in the Round of 16.
She then secured a victory against Milica Zabic from Serbia with a Waza-ari in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals. Hershko assured herself of a medal by winning her semifinal bout against Turkish competitor Kayra Ozdemir in just 14 seconds via Ippon.
“I think that when I won the semifinal, I just couldn’t believe that I won so quickly as I had fought Ozdemir so many times. To beat her in 14 seconds, I was in absolute shock. I remember that I told my coach, Shani Hershko, that I was so surprised, and he said that I should be happy for a minute or two and then bring that focus into the gold-medal matchup.”
In the final, Hershko faced Beatriz Souza from Brazil. Despite her best efforts, Hershko made a small mistake early in the bout and struggled to overturn the score. Souza won the gold, but Hershko’s silver remains a remarkable achievement, particularly in the +78kg weight class, where there is no upper weight limit.
Team Success and Future Aspirations
Hershko wasn’t the only Israeli judoka to win a medal. The Israeli judo contingent won three medals in total, with Inbar Lanir capturing silver in the women’s -78kg category and Peter Paltchik winning bronze in the men’s -100kg category. This marked a historically successful showing for Israeli judo.
“It’s unbelievable and we made history,” Hershko said. “The fact that we even went to two finals is amazing, putting the actual medals aside. But there was a plan in place right after the Tokyo Olympics ended. Shani [Hershko] said we have to work even harder now and get ready for the 2024 Olympics in order for us to make history. He kept pressing that into our minds and that has been in our heads the entire time. We went to the World Championships and won two medals, then took home four medals in the European Championships, plus all of the Grand Slams and Grand Prixs. We kept winning over the past few years and that is something he imbued in all of us time and time again.”
Despite threats to their safety prior to and during the Olympics, Hershko said she never felt unsafe. The Israeli delegation received protection from both Israeli and French security services, allowing them to compete without distraction.
“I didn’t feel anything at all,” Hershko said. “The Israel Olympic Committee and the State of Israel, along with the French security services, really made sure that we were protected and we felt safe. I never felt that I was under any type of outside pressure or threats the entire time I was competing in Paris.”
A Family Affair
Hershko’s path toward an Olympic medal began at the age of four when her uncle and current coach, Shani Hershko, encouraged the entire family to join his judo club. Raz took to the sport with passion, turning it into her life’s mission. Despite their family connection, Raz and Shani maintain a professional relationship in the training environment.
“I never have felt that Shani is my uncle when I am training, as we really put in a separation between uncle and coach. He is the coach and I am the athlete. I never received any extra special or preferential treatment because he is family, and that has always been the case. In reality, that is the recipe for our success.”
Now back in Israel, Hershko plans to take a break from competition to spend time with friends, family, and supporters.
“I need the break and just see everyone who has been there for me throughout this incredible journey. It’s a physical and mental break that is much needed.”
Looking Ahead to Los Angeles 2028
As for the next Olympic Games in 2028, the 26-year-old Hershko is clear about her intentions.
“No question I will be there. I want to bring home the right colored medal next time and I will do my best to bring home gold in four years’ time.”
Hershko recognizes that her accomplishments are not just personal but resonate with the entire nation, especially given the recent challenges Israel has faced.
“Since October 7, I feel the extra need to not only succeed for myself but for the entire country. That in itself gave me a huge drive in Paris. The medal isn’t just for me but for all of us. I wanted to represent our flag the best way that I could and show what type of country we are during these very tough times.”
As Israel’s athletes continue to inspire and uplift their nation, the future looks bright for the blue-and-white delegation, with eyes set firmly on more success in Los Angeles.