Israeli Judoka Yarden Gerbi wins Olympic bronze medal
Israeli judoka is first woman to win Olympic medal for Israel in 24 years • "This is a dream come true," she says • PM Netanyahu: We're all very proud of you • President Rivlin: You're our heroine • Gerbi to receive NIS 250,000 ($65,000) grant for her win and millions in endorsement . Israeli advertisers love Olympic Winners..
Israeli judoka Yarden Gerbi on the podium, Tuesday
| Photo credit: Reuters
Israeli judoka Yarden Gerbi on Tuesday became the first Israeli athlete to win a medal at the Rio Olympics, defeating Japanese judoka Miku Tashiru to win the bronze medal in the under-63 kilogram competition.
Tuesday's win saw Gerbi, 27, become the first Israeli woman to win an Olympic medal in 24 years, following in the footsteps of judoka Yael Arad, who won the Olympic silver in the 1992 Barcelona Games in the same weight class.
"Someone wake me up, I can't believe it," an emotional Gerbi said immediately after her win. "This is a dream come true. It was really hard, but I had all the support I needed from my family. I dedicate this medal to everyone in Israel. I gave my life to judo and it paid off."
President Reuven Rivlin called Gerbi following her win to offer his congratulations. "We are all excited and proud. You're our heroine. We all held our breath and prayed, but at the end of the day it all came down to you and you did it. You're a true champion," he said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted: "Yarden, you did it. We're all very proud of you."
Culture and Sports Minister Miri Regev, who is in Rio with the Israeli Olympic team, lauded, "Yarden, you're awesome! You fought like a lioness and we're very proud of you. You made us all proud and thanks to you the Israeli flag will fly over the podium."
Gerbi's parents, beaming with pride, told reporters they were "beyond excited."
"Back in 1992, we were watching the Olympics and Yarden asked, 'how do you get to the Olympics?' She was only 3 years old. Now she did it," Gerbi's father, Shmuel, said.
Her mother, Nurit, added, "This was her dream and now it came true. We want to thank her amazing coach, the Olympic Committee, and all the sponsored who helped her and believed in her. Now I can't wait for her to get back home."
Gerbi stands to receive a special 250,000 shekel ($65,000) grant from the Israeli Olympic Committee for her win, half of which will go to her coach, Shani Hershko.
Israeli Olympic Committee Director Gili Lustig noted Tuesday that "this is a historic day for Israeli sports."
Israel Judo Association Chairman Moshe Fonti said, "We always believed in Yarden. She's a world champion and now an Olympic champion."
Taking to social media, several MKs offered the judoka their congratulations.
Yesh Atid MK Yoel Razvozov, himself a former judo champion, wrote, "This is history in the making. It's a great honor for the State of Israel. Thank you Yarden, from all of us!"
Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz wrote, "Yarden, you are amazing! A true source of Israeli pride!"
Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein wrote, "Chapeau Yarden Gerbi! Not only did you bring us a blue-and-white medal, this is a great achievement that puts Israeli sports back on the map! We're all proud of you!"
Opposition Leader Isaac Herzog (Zionist Union) wrote, "Way to go Yarden Gerbi! You are a source of national pride. An entire country was rooting for you and you made us proud."
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