Fans of Israeli judo are being rewarded not only with the staging of the first ever Tel Aviv Grand Prix, but by the success of the team on the tatami seen during these first two days of competition. A total of six medals have been won to date (three gold, two silver and one bronze), with day three promising to provide more moments of celebration for the home supporters.
There may be those who will point to the fact that Israel, as host nation, can enter four athletes per weight category. Or, perhaps that the entry list lacks quality. Neither of these two reasons stands up to even the simplest of examination. Only once did an Israeli have to face a team mate. Apart from this one occasion (the semi-final in the –52kg category between Gili Cohen and Gefen Primo), Israeli athletes either defeated or were themselves defeated by foreign opposition. The fact that all Israeli medallists were among the top seeds, and had previously won at least one IJF World Tour medal, is confirmation that their wins here are part of a pattern of proven success. There are sufficient numbers of quality athletes to ensure that Israeli athletes, despite being at home, are put to the test. It is a test that Israel is proving up to.
Day three will determine exactly how successful this first ever Tel Aviv Grand proves to be for Israel. However, as things stand at present, this inaugural event has been a resounding success both on and off the mat. Any addition for Israel to the medal table will undoubtedly attract even greater press coverage and boost further the feelings of the fans in attendance, and those watching at home, that Israel is a genuine medal contender on all stages of the IJF World Tour and beyond.
Sheldon Franco-Rooks, who was one of the founding members of the IJF live stream, has been a mainstay since the birth of the IJF World Judo Tour in 2009 and has commentated on hundreds of IJF events. Franko-Rooks also commentates for the EJU and has worked at three Olympic Games.