Grand Prix Tel Aviv with all Israelian stars

The season-launching Grand Prix in Tel Aviv has attracted 379 judoka from 53 nations with powerhouse nations such as Brazil, France, Georgia, Kosovo and Russia among the world-class entry. With this number Tel Aviv is already in the top 20 of all Grand Prix events ever held since 2009.

The IJF World Judo Tour has arrived in Israel for the first time as the 2019 season will launch with the Tel Aviv Grand Prix from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 January.

Tel Aviv, the second most populous city in Israel, which is located on Israel’s Mediterranean coast, successfully hosted the European Championships last year and now has its very own on the IJF World Judo Tour as Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification well underway.

The hosts are able to pick four judoka in each of the 14 weight categories and have selected a well-balanced, 43-strong team featuring 24 men and 19 women.

European champion Sagi Muki (U81kg), former world bronze medallist Tal Flicker (U66kg), world number three Peter Paltchik (U100kg), Olympic bronze medallist Or Sasson (+100kg) and Agadir Grand Prix winner Timna Nelson Levy (U57kg) along with European bronze medallist Gefen Primo (U52kg) are among the stars on show from the home team.

During the press conference, Nelson Levy said: “We’re very happy with the team we have here for our first Grand Prix in Israel. We want to show the world our team; our talent and we’ve all been working hard to be successful this week. It’s an exciting time for us and we look forward to performing for our home crowd.”

Former world bronze medallists Helene Receveaux (FRA) and Natalie Powell (GBR), Olympic silver medallist Rustam Orujov (AZE) and world bronze medallist Axel Clerget (FRA) provide just a flash of the international roster of champions who will be out to open their season with glory.