Oren Smadja, a pivotal figure in Israeli judo, announced his resignation on Monday after 15 years as head coach of the men's national team. The 1992 Olympic bronze medalist cited persistent disrespect from senior officials at the Israel Judo Association as the reason for his departure.
“With a heavy heart, after years of serving as head coach of Israel’s men’s judo team, I was compelled to submit my resignation,” Smadja said in a statement. “Judo is my life, but I can no longer continue. I never imagined I would say this, but I am raising my hands in surrender.”
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Oren Smadja coached Israel's judo squad at the Paris Olympics in 2024
(Photo: Oz Moalem)
Smadja expressed deep concern for the future of Israeli judo, stating that his resignation was intended to prompt a thorough examination of the sport's leadership. “I endured years of mistreatment to protect the athletes, but my silence only worsened the situation. Today, I say enough,” he added.
The Israel Judo Association responded: “We received Smadja’s resignation with sadness and regret. We have no intention of engaging in a dispute with a bereaved father, despite inaccuracies in his statements. Smadja has been and will always remain a central figure in the proud legacy of Israeli judo.”
Smadja's resignation follows the men's team's disappointing performance at the European Championships in Montenegro, where they secured only one victory—their poorest showing in the competition's history. This marks the fourth consecutive year without a medal, a stark contrast to the team's consistent success from 1999 to 2021.
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Throughout his tenure, Smadja led the team to unprecedented achievements, including three Olympic bronze medals: with Ori Sasson in Rio 2016, the mixed team in Tokyo 2020, and Peter Paltchik in Paris 2024. Under his guidance, Sagi Muki became a world champion in 2019.
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With his son, Omer, who was killed in Gaza in June 2024
(Photo: Courtesy of the family)
Smadja's commitment to the team persisted despite personal tragedy. In June 2024, his son Omer, a reservist in the Givati Brigade, was killed by mortar fire in Gaza on Smadja's 54th birthday. Just weeks later, Smadja led the national team at the Paris Olympics, where Paltchik dedicated his bronze medal to Omer.
Last week, Smadja was honored with the privilege of lighting a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony, recognized as a symbol of resilience and inspiration.