Yael Arad: Difference between revisions
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'''Yael Arad''' ( |
'''Yael Arad''' ({{lang-he|יעל ארד}}) (born May 1, 1967) is an [[Israel]]i [[judoka]]. She was the first Israeli to win an [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] medal.<ref name="Biography">[http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/YaelArad.html Yael Arad – Jewish Virtual Library biography]</ref> She is widely recognized as one of Israel's most successful athletes and is credited with bringing [[judo]] into the athletic mainstream. |
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==Biography== |
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Yael Arad was born in [[Tel Aviv]]. She began training in judo at the age of 8, tagging along to her older brother's lessons. Lacking judo partners, she trained with the coach of the men's team.<ref name="Biography" /> |
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In 1983, at the age of 16, Yael finished runner-up in a 56 kg class German Open Cadets Championship. She won her first international title in a middleweight competition in 1984.<ref name="Biography" /> |
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After serving in the [[Israel Defense Forces]], Arad began training in Europe and Japan. She steadily improved her results and placed second in the German Open Championship in 1988. The following year, she finished third at the European Championships. In 1990, Arad defeated the world #1 and #2 judokas before losing in the finals and taking home the silver medal in a tournament in Germany. |
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Arad won a silver medal in the half middleweight (under 61 kg) judo discipline in the [[1992 Summer Olympics]] in [[Barcelona]].<ref name="Olympic" /> After winning her medal, she dedicated it to the victims of the [[Israel at the 1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Munich Massacre]]. |
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She lit the torch at the [[1993 Maccabiah Games]]. She finished in second place at the 1993 World and European Championships and fifth at the 1995 World Championships. |
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On the eve of the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta]], Arad had been crowned Israeli champion 16 times and had competed in 49 international competitions, winning 24 medals: seven gold, eight silver, and nine bronze. At the Olympics, she suffered from a viral infection and finished in fifth place. |
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In 1997, she was elected to the [[Israeli Olympic Committee]] as a sports representative.<ref name="Biography" /> She then assumed the position of judo coach for Israel during the [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney Olympics]]. |
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==Retirement== |
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After retiring from the sport, Arad continued with judo as a coach and sports entrepreneur. Today she holds a key management position in a children's product company and serves as a TV commentator at judo competitions. |
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==Career highlights== |
==Career highlights== |
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Revision as of 10:59, 16 September 2010
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| Olympic medal record | ||
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Representing  Israel
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| Women's Judo | ||
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1992 Barcelona | Half Middleweight[1] |
Yael Arad (Template:Lang-he) (born May 1, 1967) is an Israeli judoka. She was the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal.[2] She is widely recognized as one of Israel's most successful athletes and is credited with bringing judo into the athletic mainstream.
Biography
Yael Arad was born in Tel Aviv. She began training in judo at the age of 8, tagging along to her older brother's lessons. Lacking judo partners, she trained with the coach of the men's team.[2]
In 1983, at the age of 16, Yael finished runner-up in a 56 kg class German Open Cadets Championship. She won her first international title in a middleweight competition in 1984.[2]
After serving in the Israel Defense Forces, Arad began training in Europe and Japan. She steadily improved her results and placed second in the German Open Championship in 1988. The following year, she finished third at the European Championships. In 1990, Arad defeated the world #1 and #2 judokas before losing in the finals and taking home the silver medal in a tournament in Germany.
Arad won a silver medal in the half middleweight (under 61 kg) judo discipline in the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.[1] After winning her medal, she dedicated it to the victims of the 1972 Munich Massacre.
She lit the torch at the 1993 Maccabiah Games. She finished in second place at the 1993 World and European Championships and fifth at the 1995 World Championships.
On the eve of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Arad had been crowned Israeli champion 16 times and had competed in 49 international competitions, winning 24 medals: seven gold, eight silver, and nine bronze. At the Olympics, she suffered from a viral infection and finished in fifth place.
In 1997, she was elected to the Israeli Olympic Committee as a sports representative.[2] She then assumed the position of judo coach for Israel during the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Retirement
After retiring from the sport, Arad continued with judo as a coach and sports entrepreneur. Today she holds a key management position in a children's product company and serves as a TV commentator at judo competitions.
Career highlights
- 1991 – World Championships bronze medalist
- 1991 – Paris Tournament gold medalist
- 1992 – Olympic silver medalist
- 1993 – European champion
- 1993 – World Championships silver medalist