Tel Aviv, Israel — In a historic breakthrough for Israeli judo, Raz Hershko captured the nation’s first-ever European Championship gold medal in the women’s +78 kg division at the 2026 European Judo Championships held in Montpellier, France. Her victory, coupled with bronze medals from teammates Inbar Lanir and Peter Paltchik, marked Israel’s most successful showing at the continental event in over a decade, signaling a new era of competitiveness on the European tatami.
Hershko, ranked world No. 3 in the heavyweight division entering the tournament, defeated France’s Romane Dicko in the final via ippon with a powerful osoto-gari just 1 minute and 42 seconds into the match. The win was particularly sweet given Dicko had beaten Hershko in the bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. “This isn’t just about me,” Hershko said after the bout, her voice thick with emotion. “It’s for every young judoka in Israel who’s ever been told they can’t compete with the big powers. Today, we showed we belong.”
The Montpellier Antigone Arena, packed with over 4,500 spectators, erupted as Hershko’s name was called. Her path to gold included victories over Germany’s Anna-Maria Wagner (quarterfinals), Poland’s Beata Pacut-Kloczko (semifinals), and finally Dicko in the title match. Each win came through a combination of relentless grip fighting and explosive techniques, hallmarks of her coaching under Oren Smadja, Israel’s national judo director.
Lanir, the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the -78 kg category, added to Israel’s medal count with a bronze in her weight class, defeating Ukraine’s Yelyzaveta Lytvynenko via waza-ari in the repechage final. Paltchik, competing in the men’s -100 kg division, secured Israel’s third medal by overcoming Georgia’s Ilia Sulamanidze in the bronze medal match, capitalizing on a late counterattack after being down by a waza-ari with under 30 seconds left.
Israel’s triple-medal performance marked its best result at the European Championships since 2012, when Yahima Ramirez and Alice Schlesinger each won bronze. No Israeli judoka had ever won continental gold prior to Hershko’s triumph, making her achievement a watershed moment for the sport in a nation where judo has long been popular but rarely translated into elite international success.
The success reflects years of strategic investment by the Israel Judo Association, which has expanded training centers, increased international competition exposure, and partnered with Japanese and European coaches to refine technical execution. Smadja, a former Olympic medalist himself, has emphasized mental resilience alongside physical preparation, a philosophy visibly evident in Hershko’s composure during high-pressure moments.
Dicko, a two-time Olympic medalist and five-time European champion, acknowledged Hershko’s superiority in the final. “She was stronger today,” Dicko said in post-match comments translated by officials. “Her preparation was perfect. I’ll be back.” The French star, who had defeated Hershko in three of their four prior meetings, admitted she underestimated the Israeli’s improved transition game.
For Hershko, the victory culminates a rapid ascent. Just two years ago, she was outside the world top 10. A silver medal at the 2024 World Championships in Abu Dhabi and consistent Grand Prix performances propelled her into contention. Her training base at the Wingate Institute near Netanya has become a hub for elite judokas, attracting athletes from across Europe and Asia seeking sparring partners of her caliber.
The Montpellier tournament likewise served as a critical qualifier for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, with top-eight finishers earning valuable ranking points. Hershko’s gold moved her to world No. 1 in the Olympic rankings, while Lanir’s bronze kept her firmly in the top three. Paltchik’s result improved his Olympic seeding prospects significantly, placing him within the top five heading into the final qualification period.
Looking ahead, the Israeli team will shift focus to the 2026 World Championships in Budapest later this year, where they aim to build on this momentum. Smadja confirmed plans to send a full squad, noting that the European Championships success has boosted morale and funding prospects. “We’re not just participating anymore,” he said in a post-tournament press conference. “We’re expecting to win.”
For global judo fans, Israel’s breakthrough adds a new dynamic to a sport traditionally dominated by Japan, France, Georgia, and Brazil. The rise of athletes like Hershko reflects broader globalization in judo, where nations with strong grassroots programs and targeted elite support are closing the gap with historic powers.
As the Israeli delegation departed Montpellier, Hershko carried more than a gold medal. She carried the hopes of a nation eager to see its athletes stand atop podiums not just in regional competitions, but on the world’s biggest stages. Her message to young judokas back home was clear: “Dream big. Work harder. The tatami is waiting.”
The next major checkpoint for the Israeli judo team is the 2026 World Judo Championships in Budapest, scheduled for May 10–18. Fans can follow updates through the International Judo Federation’s official website and the Israel Judo Association’s social media channels.
What did this victory mean for Israeli sports? Share your thoughts in the comments below — and if this story inspired you, pass it along to someone who believes in the power of perseverance.
