When Avishag Samberg was a young girl (she's still just 19), she went to Jerusalem to address the Knesset. She spoke confidently and eloquently about the difficulties she faced as a young female athlete. The committee members listening to the fearless young lady were so overcome by her presence that then-Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev promised to take help. On Saturday, Samberg proved that her insistence on receiving financial support was right on the mark, taking home a medal on the very first day of the Tokyo Olympics in Taekwondo.
Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter
The clerks in the Culture and Sport Ministry and its operative arms insist on cutting funds for women's sports, changing criteria and allocating more money to the men. The first day of the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo, however, proved that Israel's future in the Olympics is its female athletes: Shira Rishony placed fifth in her Judo competition, while Samberg's bronze medal allowed thousands of girls across Israel to dream of Olympic glory in a sport that just a few hours earlier most of us didn't even know existed.
It's important to remember, of course, that Taekwondo is a combat sport, one that entails a great deal of physicality and intelligence, and Samberg is exactly that type of fighter: Tough and smart on and off the matt. She's the stuff legends are made of, and don't be surprised if you see her in some new commercial by next week. She's the new Israeli prototype, and the advertisers will be lining up for a chance to sign her.
Anyone watching the first day of competition could already identify the tremendous impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The Asian athletes failed to meet their usually high standards due to a dearth of training and tournaments; for the first time, the Americans finished the first day without even one gold medal; and our Israelis made a surprise showing, even in Badminton. Assuming the politicos behind the scenes don't get in the way (didn't the government tell us not to fly abroad if there is no need?), we're set up nicely to have a very good Olympics indeed. Judo, gymnastics and other surprises, such as Taekwondo, can make these a historic Olympic Games for the Israeli delegation, with a record number of medals.
Subscribe to Israel Hayom's daily newsletter and never miss our top stories!
