Tel Aviv, the second most populous city in Israel, which is located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, successfully hosted the European Championships last year and now has its very own leg on the IJF World Judo Tour with Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification well underway.
The hosts are able to pick four judoka in each of the 14 weight categories and have selected a well-balanced, 43-strong team featuring 24 men and 19 women.
European champion Sagi MUKI (-81kg), former world bronze medallist Tal FLICKER (-66kg), world number three Peter PALTCHIK (-100kg), Olympic bronze medallist Or SASSON (+100kg) and Agadir Grand Prix winner Timna NELSON LEVY (-57kg) along with European bronze medallist Gefen PRIMO (-52kg) are among the stars on show from the home team.
The season-launching Grand Prix has attracted 379 judoka from 53 nations with powerhouse nations such as Brazil, France, Georgia, Kosovo and Russia among the world-class entry.
Former world bronze medallists Helene RECEVEAUX (FRA) and Natalie POWELL (GBR), Olympic silver medallist Rustam ORUJOV (AZE) and world bronze medallist Axel CLERGET (FRA) provide just a flash of the international roster of champions who will be out to open their season with glory.
Dr. Lisa ALLAN, IJF Competition Manager and IJF Executive Committee member, made the opening address at Thursday’s draw which took place at the Hilton Tel Aviv and was streamed live on the IJF Facebook page.
“Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon, I’d like to express a heartfelt welcome from IJF President Mr. Marius L. VIZER as this occasion marks the start of the 2019 IJF World Judo Tour. We’re here for the first ever Grand Prix in this beautiful city and having heard so much about the fans at 2018 European Championships in Tel Aviv, we expect to have a wonderful atmosphere this week.
“We are very grateful to the Israel Judo Association and its President Mr. PONTE, the Israeli Ministry of Sport and Culture, Minister Miri REGEV and all officials. Thank you for being in attendance. We have so many participants from so many countries which serves to remind us how important this competition is towards Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification.”
Mr. Moshe PONTE, Israel Judo Association President, spoke on behalf of the local organising committee.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to thank Mr VIZER, President of IJF, Minister REGEV, and everyone here today for helping to bring the Grand Prix to Israel. It is a great honour for IJA and Israel to host for the first time an IJF World Judo Tour event. We have 53 nations from five continents taking part and for that I congratulate the judoka and delegates. As Israel we are very proud and doing everything for you with love and we hope you will become our good will ambassador. I wish good luck to all of you. Thank you.”
During the press conference, NELSON LEVY said: “We’re very happy with the team we have here for our first Grand Prix in Israel. We want to show the world our team; our talent and we’ve all been working hard to be successful this week. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to performing for our home crowd.”
Watch all three days of #JudoTelAviv2019 live and free here on the IJF website from Thursday - Saturday.