Israeli Olympic judoka Yarden Gerbi on Monday for the first time stepped out with her new girlfriend in a much-liked social media post as well as in real life.
Gerbi, who won an Olympic bronze medal competing for Israel at the 2016 Summer Olympics, expressed her love for Dana Lavi Caspi, a 28-year-old photographer, in a touching post.
"I fell in love with her as soon as our eyes met, and the love only grows stronger. The sense of joy that accompanies me lately, the butterflies in the stomach, smiling from ear-to-ear just like that - It's all down to her," she wrote.
The social media "likes", naturally, soon followed.
Yarden admitted that she wasn't taken by surprise by the warm embrace she has received from her followers. "I'm not surprised by the Israeli public," she said, hand-in-hand with Dana at a launch party for international fashion powerhouse "PARFOIS" in the Azrieli Mall in Tel Aviv. "I have a reliable and frank connection with the people of Israel, all the way from my beginnings in Judo up until today. I receive non-stop encouragement and a lot of love. They're all happy and so am I."
Yaden Jerbi and Dana Lavi Caspi
(Photo: Asaf Magal)
I've never seen you this happy.
I've never been this happy.
You spoke of love at first sight. Tell me how it happened.
We met by chance in some restaurant. Our eyes met, and it all progressed from there. It's not like when a man and a woman go on a date. With women it's different. We talk about all kinds of things and suddenly there's a connection. A friendship that grows into love.
Did you feel you were "coming out"?
I avoid these sort of definitions. I've been with both men and women, and it's all about the connection I have with a person. With Dana it was clear from the start. I'm in love and I'm happy.
Do you feel like you're a part of the LGBTQ community?
Definitely. I hope we remain optimistic and united with the new government, letting each person live with his own happiness.
Any regrets?
I've never regretted anything, including in business. Even if mistakes were made, I learn. At the moment I'm at peace with everything.