Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir honored the memory of Itzik Elgarat, a Hamas victim, by dedicating her bronze medal win in Uzbekistan to him. Elgarat was murdered in captivity after being abducted in October 2023. Lanir’s achievement adds to the success of Israel’s women’s judo team at the competition.
Inbar Lanir, an Israeli judoka, dedicated her bronze medal victory at the Tashkent Grand Slam in Uzbekistan to the late Itzik Elgarat, a victim of Hamas, whose remains were returned to Israel recently. Lanir stated, “I fought today to fly the flag in his memory” after triumphing against Brazil’s Karol Gimenes in the -78 kg category. Previously, Lanir earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
Itzik Elgarat, a dual Danish-Israeli national, was 68 when abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. He was shot by terrorists and taken as a hostage alongside 250 others during a violent assault that resulted in 1,200 fatalities across southern Israel. Following negotiations, Hamas returned Elgarat’s body on February 27, 2024, as part of a ceasefire deal with Israel that freed 602 Palestinian prisoners. Forensic examinations confirmed Elgarat’s murder during captivity, leading to his burial in Israel.
Elgarat is survived by two children residing in Denmark, a brother, and two sisters, one of whom, Rachel Dancyg, also lived in Nir Oz and survived the October massacre. In further outcomes at the Tashkent Grand Slam, Olympic champion Raz Hershko ranked fifth in the +78 kg category. Overall, Israel’s women’s judo team achieved a commendable showing, securing three medals: a silver for Inbal Shemesh and bronzes for Timna Nelson Levy and Inbar Lanir, totaling the team’s haul at the competition.
Inbar Lanir’s dedication of her bronze medal to Itzik Elgarat is a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies stemming from political conflict. Elgarat’s story highlights the losses suffered by families during such crises. Additionally, the performance of the Israeli women’s judo team at the Tashkent Grand Slam exemplifies their resilience and commitment to excellence in the sport.
Original Source: www.algemeiner.com
