Raz Hershko is back on the podium. The Israeli judoka, who competes in the over-78 kilogram weight category, won the bronze medal Sunday evening at the Grand Prix tournament in Lima, Peru.
Hershko opened her day of bouts strongly, defeating Brazil’s Thauana Silva by ippon in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she faced another Brazilian, Tokyo Olympic champion Beatriz Souza, and lost. The defeat sent the Israeli into the bronze medal bout against Colombia's Brigitte Carabali, and just 1 minute and 30 seconds into the match, she managed to throw her, score an ippon and secure the medal.
“After two competitions without a medal, Raz Hershko is back on the podium,” said national team head coach Shany Hershko. “Although this is a Grand Prix circuit competition, at this time every medal and every return to the podium is important.”
Raz on the podium with her bronze medal
(Photo: IJF)
Raz Hershko said after the win: “I’m happy to return to the podium. Thank you to Shany Hershko, the head coach, and to coach Charles Chibana, who accompanied me at the competition, and to the entire team in Israel that accompanies and supports me along the way. Thank you to the Israel Judo Association and its chairman, Moshe Ponte, for the support and guidance. As always, I dedicate the medal to the memory of Yonatan Gutin, to his family, and to all IDF soldiers and the State of Israel.”