Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir won a bronze medal in Uzbekistan, dedicating her victory to Itzik Elgarat, a Hamas hostage murdered in captivity. Along with her, the Israeli women’s team performed commendably, collecting three medals at the event. Elgarat, a dual citizen, was abducted during a violent incident in Israel and later returned deceased to his family.
Inbar Lanir, an Israeli judoka, celebrated a significant achievement by winning a bronze medal at the Tashkent Grand Slam in Uzbekistan, which she dedicated to Itzik Elgarat, a victim of Hamas captivity. At 24 years old, Lanir competed in the -78 kg category, triumphing over Brazil’s Karol Gimenes. Previously, Lanir secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, marking her as a top competitor in judo.
Elgarat was a dual Danish-Israeli citizen who was 68 when abducted by Hamas on October 7, 2023, from Kibbutz Nir Oz. He was shot by militants and taken to Gaza when Hamas launched a brutal attack, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and 251 hostages.
On February 27, his body was repatriated alongside three others in a prisoner exchange, which also involved 602 Palestinian prisoners, under a ceasefire agreement. The forensic analysis confirmed that Elgarat had been murdered, and he was laid to rest in Israel, leaving behind two children in Denmark, a brother, and two sisters, one of whom also survived the attack.
During the same Tashkent Grand Slam, fellow Israeli judoka Raz Hershko achieved fifth place in the +78 kg category. Overall, the Israeli women’s judo team secured three medals at the event, with silver awarded to Inbal Shemesh and bronzes to Timna Nelson Levy and Lanir, highlighting their strong performance in the competition.
Inbar Lanir’s bronze medal victory at the Tashkent Grand Slam not only signifies her personal success, but also serves as a tribute to Itzik Elgarat, whose tragic fate has resonated throughout Israel. Elgarat, once a hostage, tragically lost his life, leaving a profound impact on his family and community. The Israeli women’s judo team showcased remarkable talent, winning three medals and reinforcing their status on the international stage.
Original Source: www.algemeiner.com
