Yael Arad, the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona

Yael Arad was the first person to win a medal for Israel, she came second and she got a silver medal for judo. Her victory was regarded as both national and personal, and put Israel on the map of international athletic achievements.

Arad began judo as a child in Israel, she has also trained in Europe and Japan. She achieved her first international title in middleweight competition in 1984, and continued to compete successfully in the following years.
At the Olympic games in Barcelona in 1992, Yael Arad became the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic medal. Only just missing the gold, based on a judge's decision in the half middle-weight competition, she returned home with the silver medal and became a national hero.




Yael Arad

Oren Smadja, Israel's second medal

A day after Yael Arad's victory, (Arad's victory was Israel's first medal in the Olympics) came Israel's second medal in the Olympics and was also for judo.
"For me, the true excitement started when we got back to Israel," said Oren Smadja, after winning a bronze medal in judo at the 1992 Olympics and turning point in Israel's Olympic history. "When we were in Barcelona all kinds of people and VIPs called, which was all very nice. But the reception at the airport and the signs along the road on the way home - that was absolutely amazing."
Now training a new generation of judo champions, Smadja says that positive achievements continue to accompany him.



Oren Smadja

Gal Fridman, 1996 Olympics Atlanta

Fridman won the bronze medal in the windsurfing at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, at the age of 21.

"I knew from the start that without confidence, it is impossible to succeed," Fridman said after the race. "I was very calm and focused. I went for it with all my strength; I believed in myself, and I did it. I want to thank everyone for the support and the energy they sent me."

This was Israel's 3rd medal in the Olympics.



Gal Fridman

Michael Kalganov, The 2000 Sydney Olympics

Michael Kalganov won Israel's 4th medal in the Olympics. Kalganov won a bronze medal for kayaking. Kalganov advanced to the finals and came third in the 500-meter flat-water kayak. Michael Kalganov grew up kayaking the rivers of the Uzbekistan, but now his kayak streaks across the still blue water of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. "I feel that Israel is my home", said Michael Kalganov the week after winning a bronze medal. In interviews with following his win, Kalganov said that although some of his friends had immigrated to the US and Germany, he believes that as a Jew his place is here in Israel. Michael Kalganov, who arrived in Israel from Uzbekistan five years ago, is the only Israeli that won a medal in the Sydney Olympics.


Michael Kalganov