Israel's Olympic judo team returned home to a hero's welcome on Sunday evening, following their historic medal haul at the Paris Games. Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko, who clinched silver medals, and Peter Paltchik, who secured bronze, were met by hundreds of cheering fans at Ben-Gurion International Airport. The judokas' success was part of a record-breaking weekend for Israel, which saw the nation's athletes win six medals overall, igniting nationwide celebrations.
Video: Judo medalists receive warm welcome upon arrival in Israel / Credit: Shmuel Buchris
A crowd of hundreds awaited them at Ben-Gurion Airport, eager to offer a warm embrace in recognition of their achievements. The welcoming party included the judokas' families, numerous young athletes from the clubs where the medalists train, and many other supportive citizens.
Moshe Ponte, Chairman of the Israel Judo Association, said: "First and foremost, I particularly want to acknowledge those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these achievements possible – they often go unmentioned. Every Olympics, our Judo Association strives to do its utmost. For these Games, we had only three years to prepare, yet they were our most successful. In Rio, we won 3 medals, in Tokyo one, and now in Paris, three. It's extraordinary, all thanks to our dedicated coaches and staff."
Ponte spoke emotionally about coach Oren Smadja: "It's difficult for me to talk about him. He was my student; I've known him since he was 4. From age 17, I trained him as an athlete and believed wholeheartedly that he would bring home a medal. At 22, he won a medal in Barcelona. That was just one athlete, and now we have a total of six medals in this Olympics, bringing our total to 9. Oren experienced a tragedy that no parent should face – burying a child [killed in the war in Gaza]... I sincerely hope he'll recover and return to coaching the men's team. As for Shani, I could say so much about his accomplishments. He was also my student, and remarkably, he has coached two athletes to the Olympic finals. For me, that's an incredible success."
Peter Paltchik shared: "I honestly didn't know what to expect upon disembarking. We spent a long time in the Olympic Village, isolated in our own bubble, each focused on preparing for our big day. Nothing else mattered because we arrived with a sense of purpose. We knew these Games held special significance, coming in the wake of the greatest tragedy our country has ever known. We felt an immense responsibility, aware that every match carried implications. Our goal was to raise our flag as high as possible, despite those who sought to boycott us."
Raz Hershko added: "I'm overjoyed to have fulfilled my dream. I do feel a twinge of regret about the final, knowing I was so close to gold. It was a bit disappointing, but I'm focusing on the positives. I've dreamed of this for years, and it hasn't always been easy or pleasant. Every day, I pushed myself to work hard. I owe so much to Shani Hershko, my coach, who believed in me and guided me even when I was unsure of my path. Wearing this uniform, raising our flag to its highest point, and showing the world that the people of Israel endure – that's what truly matters."
Inbar Lanir also shared: "The reception was incredibly moving. I want to thank everyone who came – our families and close friends. Representing our country during these times is an enormous responsibility, something I never imagined when I started judo at six years old. Now, 18 years later, to be sitting here with an Olympic medal around my neck – it's surreal. I want to take this moment to send my warmest support to all our citizens, especially those who have suffered physically and emotionally, and to the families of the hostages. While we're the ones returning with medals, we represent countless individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, often choosing to forgo recognition despite their invaluable contributions."
