Fresh off his Olympic bronze medal victory in Paris, Israeli judo sensation Peter Paltchik is still riding high. The 32-year-old athlete, who carried the nation's flag at the opening ceremony, sat down with Israel Hayom for an exclusive interview, offering a candid look into his journey, the pressures of competing on the world stage, and the future of Israeli judo.
While Paltchik hasn't made a final decision about competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, many in his circle are encouraging him to continue. For now, the judoka plans to take some time off. He and his wife Danielle are expecting a child, after which he'll reassess whether he'll commit to another four-year Olympic cycle.
Q: How do you feel after your recent victory?
"Incredible. I've waited so long for this moment, my moment. I arrived at the Olympic Village relatively early, and I was concerned about managing the mental tension for such a long period. As soon as you enter the village, the volume is turned up high."
Q: Who supported you during this journey?
"My team was crucial, [coach] Oren Smadja's presence was invaluable. They all enveloped me with support, with a fixed and organized training schedule. I could focus on the small, daily tasks, keeping my mind occupied."
Q: How did you feel about carrying the flag at the opening ceremony?
"When I found out in Israel that I would be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony, I was moved to tears. It's one of the most emotional experiences I've had. It's a great honor to bear the flag, especially now, considering what we're going through as a nation. As a young athlete, I always looked up to the flag bearers, imagining myself in that role. It was a moment of pure joy, and the rain only intensified the experience. I carried that energy into the competition."
Q: Did you worry about the ceremony affecting your preparation?
"Many told me, 'You'll carry the flag, burn energy, it will impact your performance.' They primarily wanted me to compete and deliver on the mat."
Q: Did you imagine this outcome?
"Absolutely. Everything came together perfectly at these Olympics. I was the flag bearer, and the competition unfolded flawlessly. I gave my heart on the mat, and I'm glad it all came together as I wanted. Every competition morning, I close my eyes and hope for everything to align. When it does, good things happen to me."
Q: How did it feel to represent Israel during this challenging time?
"I imagined this day with a bronze medal on the podium, on the world's biggest stage, during the most difficult period in Israel's history. It's my greatest privilege to represent the country, and I'm glad I did so with honor and strength."
Q: How did these Games compare to Tokyo?
"These Games were on a scale I've never seen before, a real festival. The Israelis who traveled all the way from home, filling the stands – it was incredible. I felt like I was at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam. Every match gave me goosebumps, pushing me through tough moments, especially against the French competitor. I looked at the crowd and felt I had no right to give up."
Q: What was your most memorable moment from the competition?
"At the beginning of the day, against the Mongolian, I executed a perfect ippon – perhaps one of the most beautiful in my career. I looked at Oren and said, 'We've got this today.' I saw he believed it too, and that was all we needed."
Q: How important was Smadja's presence in Paris? As we know, his son recently fell in Gaza, and it was uncertain whether he would attend.
"It was the most important thing in the world. I knew in my heart it would happen. I know him, and he comes from a family of fighters. With his wife Liat and the children – it's not by chance he's here. It's symbolic. He rose to the occasion, and that says it all. He was with us for every match."
Q: What do you think this means for the future of judo in Israel?
"I hope more children will take up judo. Every medal and successful Olympics has the power to deepen the sport further. We saw what it did for gymnastics and taekwondo after the last Games. I hope people remember this historic moment when Israel won three medals in almost 24 hours, all from judo. There's no reason to cut funding; instead, we should invest more. Give our sport financial stability, and you'll see many more medals, both at the Olympics and from the younger generation looking up to us. We need a broad base."
Q: Are you considering competing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?
"It's not easy, and it's hard for me to even think about it right now. I know what I've been through and what it takes to reach this moment. Qualification, battles, fights to win – I need to ask myself if I can continue another campaign."
Q: To whom do you dedicate this medal?
"To my wife, who's my private fighter, my queen who sacrifices so much. Also my family, including my parents and in-laws, as well as my grandparents. We're partners in this journey, and the medal is largely thanks to them."
