Israeli judoka Ori Sasson won the silver medal in the European Judo Championships, paving his way to the Rio Olympic Games.
Israeli judoka Ori Sasson won the silver medal in the European Judo Championships on Saturday.
The 25-year-old Israeli needed just 15 seconds to knock out Daniel Natea of Romania in the semis, but struggled in the final against Frenchman Teddy Riner, a seven-time world champion who picked up his fifth European title, Israel Radio reported.
“This is a very important achievement for me and a step forward ahead of Rio [Olympic Games],” Sasson said after his victory.
The Israeli delegation finished the championships with two medals, one fewer than last year, with Timna Nelson Levy winning a surprise bronze in the women’s under-57 kilogram competition in the first day of the event on Thursday.
Sasson’s achievement helped the delegation overcome the disappointment from Friday when jodukas Sagi Muki and Yarden Gerbi failed to repeat last year’s success.
By: United with Israel Staff