Israeli Ju Jitsu wrestler Yarin Chriki won the gold medal yesterday (Saturday) at the Paris Grand Slam, one of the most prestigious competitions in the discipline.
To the pride of hearing the Israeli anthem resound in the French capital was added the emotion of the athlete who has come from far away. Indeed, Yarin Chriki was participating in the Nova festival in Reïm on October 7 when Hamas terrorists attacked. He miraculously managed to escape but lost friends.
Upon receiving his gold medal, Chriki declared: “I dedicate this victory to a man who has always been at my side: Yohaï, my friend who was assassinated at the festival in Reïm. It’s her kimono that I wear on the podium. I felt that he was with me in this fight, I spoke with him and I felt that he was sitting next to me”.
Saturday was a good day for Israeli sport, since in addition to this gold medal in Ju Jitsu, judoka Raz Hersko won the European Championships in Zagreb. She beat Frenchwoman Julia Tolofua in the final. A good omen for this summer’s Olympic Games.
