The Israeli judo delegation racked up one gold and two bronze medals at the Tbilisi Grand Prix in Georgia Sunday, ahead of next month's European Judo Championships, to be held in Tel Aviv.
On the men's team, Peter Paltchik won the gold medal, while Li Kochman won the bronze medal on the last day of the tournament. Timna Nelson Levy earned a bronze medal for the women's team on the first day of the tournament.
Competing in the under-100-kilogram weight class, Abu Dhabi Grand Slam bronze medalist Paltchik defeated Russian newcomer Merab Margiev to win the tournament.
After losing to Greek Theodoros Tselidis, Kochman won his match against Switzerland's Cyril Grossklaus in the under-90-kilogram weight class.
On the first day of the tournament, Nelson Levy defeated Italy's Martina Lo Giudice in the under-57-kilogram weight class.
Olympic bronze medalist Oren Smadja, who coaches the Israeli men's team, said, "The team is preparing for the European [Judo] Championships that will be held in Israel. The Israeli team is one of the strongest in Europe, and we are looking ahead."
Israel Judo Association President Moshe Ponte added, "We are in the home stretch, ahead of the European championships, and both of our teams, the women and the men, are showing promising ability. I am confident the crowd that fills the special hall built at the exhibition center will enjoy a tremendous experience."
