As first reported in Israel Hayom, Oren Smadja announced he will leave his position as coach of Israel's men's judo team, ending a 15-year career.

In a story posted on his Instagram account, Smadja wrote, "With a heavy heart and after no less than 15 years serving as the coach of Israel's men's judo team, I was forced with immense sadness to submit my resignation to the Israeli Judo Association. You've known me since I was a boy, you know that judo is my life, and my life is judo. But precisely because judo is part of my soul, I can no longer continue. I never thought I would say this, but that's it, I'm throwing in the towel and submitting my resignation.

"I am worried, worried about the future of Israeli judo. Therefore, I felt I had no choice but to sacrifice myself for the future of the sport. Perhaps my resignation will cause someone to understand that if I'm throwing in the towel, it's time for a thorough examination of what's happening behind the scenes. I've endured for years because I didn't want to harm the athletes, but my restraint only made the situation worse. So today I say enough," Smadja added.

The Israeli Judo Association responded, "We received Oren's resignation with regret. We have no intention of entering into an argument with a bereaved father despite the inaccuracies in his statements. Oren was and will always be a central part of Israeli judo's glorious legacy."

Smadja is one of the pioneers in Israeli judo and became the first Israeli man to win an Olympic medal when he captured bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Over the past 15 years, he has led the men's judo team to remarkable achievements, including Sagi Muki's gold medal at the 2019 World Championships, a bronze medal with the mixed team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and a bronze medal with Peter Paltchik at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Last year, Smadja suffered the tragic loss of his son, Omer, who died during military operations in Gaza. Recently, he also lit a ceremonial torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony, representing Israeli determination and spirit, alongside Paralympic medalist Gal Hamrani and basketball player Deni Avdija.

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Watching the Olympics inspires me time and time again. Not merely because of the magical acrobatic routines, the strategic Judo maneuvers to outsmart the opponent, or the never-ending achievements of women athletes, but most of all – the true champion's mindset. The impeccable ability to perform, and even score a win, under immense pressure as the eyes of the world are upon you. 

Hundreds of athletes worldwide have trained for years for this opportunity to represent their countries, suffering defeats, hardships, injuries, and a constant mental battle to keep on going. 

Now, the world's finest have this one sole chance to both reach the peak of their careers and fulfill their lifelong dream of becoming an Olympic champion, as well as granting their countries the ultimate honor and pride. 

Have you ever desired something with your entire being? Ironically, once that happens, your body and mind will present you with every inner obstacle possible. Intrusive thoughts, low self-esteem, and the widely discussed "Imposter Syndrom" are just the tip of the iceberg. 

The body's physical reactions are no less challenging. Ever got "cold feet"? It is not only a figure of speech, with your body "freezing", leaving you unable to perform even the easiest of tasks – like taking a step.  

Apparently, this phenomenon has a name: "Mental Hijack." It is the perfect title to describe this incredibly frustrating situation in which you feel completely helpless. We are taught so much throughout our childhood, and yet many fail to master this valuable skill later in life. Thankfully, Olympic champions do. I've drafted the great Israeli Judoka Ori Sasson to let us in on a true Olympian mindset. 

Ori, a seven-time Israeli champion, silver medalist at the European Games, and two-time Olympic bronze medalist in 2016 and 2020, has quit Judo and now supports the Israeli Olympic team all the way from Tel Aviv. 

I found myself trying to imagine what it must have been like for him, time and time again – just 4 minutes on the clock to defeat an opponent, with a medal and national pride hanging in the balance. The very thought made my heart race. How does someone function under such intense pressure? There's something almost superhuman about this ability. 

"Now that I'm a fan rather than an athlete, I watch the Olympics and think, 'Wow, did I really do that? Look at what these athletes are doing!'" Sasson joked, adding that Olympic champions don't have innate "superpowers": "It's not easy for anyone. Some people's personalities might fit their sport better, due to their upbringing or inherent traits. But that doesn't mean others can't adapt. It'll be harder – it was for me. There'll be struggles, lots of suffering, but when you win, it'll be even sweeter than for those who had it easier." The good news is – performing under pressure just like an Olympian does, is a highly attainable goal.

A void to fill

Looking back at his personal growth, he vividly remembers his first competition at merely 9: "I was incredibly anxious," Ori recalled. "I wanted there to be a traffic jam, so we wouldn't reach the community center where the competition took place."

Despite projecting a tough exterior at 6'3" (1.90m), he shared a significant factor that made things difficult for him, and for many others in handling pressure: "I have a lot of emotion. The way I reacted to difficulty, pain, and even success was always very emotional and extreme. I simply didn't know how to manage my emotions effectively and properly," he said.

"To be able to handle all that, I believe you need to have something... missing inside. It's what pushes you to fight." Intrigued, I asked him to elaborate. "This applies to any field you wish to succeed in. Often, there's some void to fill – maybe it's love or recognition. It can't all be perfect. Without that need, where would your drive come from? The intense desire to win? The motivation to put in years of effort? The key is figuring out what it is for you. Once you find that trigger, that's what you work with and focus on."

"Pressure is a privilege"

Reflecting on his own experiences with pressure, he chuckled, "It's gotten the better of me many times. Probably more than people might think. Each time it happened, it was crushing. A mental defeat is the worst. But losing when you've given your all – that's the closest thing to winning. It hurts, but you can live with it, because you didn't give in to those negative voices saying 'Give up, it's too much.' That's what truly matters, even more than winning. Once I understood this, it became my focus."

His advice for those of us who are paralyzed by fear and pressure: "Remember, pressure is a privilege. It can help if you use it right. Embrace it. If you're feeling pressure, you're probably pushing your boundaries. That's where growth happens."

This point of view has made feeling pressure somewhat enjoyable for Ori, making it a leverage rather than an obstacle. "You need that edge. It's good before public appearances, exams, and even a job interview. Otherwise, you're too complacent."

I told him that especially in these turbulent times worldwide, one would prefer complacency over living on the edge. "Those who avoid risks are standing still. There's no easy way out, we can only find more effective ways to cope. Life is full of challenges – breakups, losses, the Oct. 7 attack, failures. Should we stop living? Stop trying? Never leave our comfort zone? Of course not."

Video: Making history: The Israeli team wins silver in rhythmic gymnastics in the Paris Olympics. Credit: Oren Aharoni

What makes a champion? 

I asked Ori what he thinks makes a champion. "Becoming a champion is about putting in the effort. We've all seen talented people who didn't work hard and never reached their potential. It's about refusing to settle for less. A champion is someone who's always looking to grow, constantly pushing their limits, never giving up, not even for a single moment. Being a champion doesn't necessarily mean winning a gold medal. Everyone has their own potential to fulfill. If you reach that potential, you're a champion in your own right."

"Do the psychological work," he added. "Understand why you react the way you do. Accept that feeling pressure is okay. Self-compassion goes a long way in preventing anxiety." He raised an interesting point – most of the time, it's about the story we tell ourselves, the negative image we plant in our minds – that makes us stressed or anxious, rather than the situation itself.

"It's all about perspective. There will always be more opportunities. Value yourself for trying and understand that life doesn't always go as planned. We need to see losses or failures as things to embrace. They're not pleasant, they're frustrating, but accept that it's part of the process. When you internalize this, coping becomes easier. We're not perfect, not the smartest, most beautiful, or strongest, but we're always striving to grow."

Imagine my surprise, when an Olympic champion who competed against the best in the world, told me the way to success is paved by realizing we're flawed. There's something deeply relieving about understanding that true strength comes from consistently lifting ourselves up.

"If there's something you want to achieve, remember: It'll be hard, but you can handle it. Avoiding is easy, but it's much worse than trying and failing. I wish I'd understood this earlier; it would have saved me a lot of suffering. You asked what makes a champion? That's it. Someone who tries. Even if it means facing embarrassment, humiliation, or insult – they still go for it."

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Fresh off his Olympic bronze medal victory in Paris, Israeli judo sensation Peter Paltchik is still riding high. The 32-year-old athlete, who carried the nation's flag at the opening ceremony, sat down with Israel Hayom for an exclusive interview, offering a candid look into his journey, the pressures of competing on the world stage, and the future of Israeli judo.

While Paltchik hasn't made a final decision about competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, many in his circle are encouraging him to continue. For now, the judoka plans to take some time off. He and his wife Danielle are expecting a child, after which he'll reassess whether he'll commit to another four-year Olympic cycle.

Q: How do you feel after your recent victory?

"Incredible. I've waited so long for this moment, my moment. I arrived at the Olympic Village relatively early, and I was concerned about managing the mental tension for such a long period. As soon as you enter the village, the volume is turned up high."

Q: Who supported you during this journey?

"My team was crucial, [coach] Oren Smadja's presence was invaluable. They all enveloped me with support, with a fixed and organized training schedule. I could focus on the small, daily tasks, keeping my mind occupied."

Q: How did you feel about carrying the flag at the opening ceremony?

"When I found out in Israel that I would be carrying the flag at the opening ceremony, I was moved to tears. It's one of the most emotional experiences I've had. It's a great honor to bear the flag, especially now, considering what we're going through as a nation. As a young athlete, I always looked up to the flag bearers, imagining myself in that role. It was a moment of pure joy, and the rain only intensified the experience. I carried that energy into the competition."

Q: Did you worry about the ceremony affecting your preparation?

"Many told me, 'You'll carry the flag, burn energy, it will impact your performance.' They primarily wanted me to compete and deliver on the mat."

Q: Did you imagine this outcome?

"Absolutely. Everything came together perfectly at these Olympics. I was the flag bearer, and the competition unfolded flawlessly. I gave my heart on the mat, and I'm glad it all came together as I wanted. Every competition morning, I close my eyes and hope for everything to align. When it does, good things happen to me."

Q: How did it feel to represent Israel during this challenging time?

"I imagined this day with a bronze medal on the podium, on the world's biggest stage, during the most difficult period in Israel's history. It's my greatest privilege to represent the country, and I'm glad I did so with honor and strength."

Q: How did these Games compare to Tokyo?

"These Games were on a scale I've never seen before, a real festival. The Israelis who traveled all the way from home, filling the stands – it was incredible. I felt like I was at the Tel Aviv Grand Slam. Every match gave me goosebumps, pushing me through tough moments, especially against the French competitor. I looked at the crowd and felt I had no right to give up."

Q: What was your most memorable moment from the competition?

"At the beginning of the day, against the Mongolian, I executed a perfect ippon – perhaps one of the most beautiful in my career. I looked at Oren and said, 'We've got this today.' I saw he believed it too, and that was all we needed."

Q: How important was Smadja's presence in Paris? As we know, his son recently fell in Gaza, and it was uncertain whether he would attend.

"It was the most important thing in the world. I knew in my heart it would happen. I know him, and he comes from a family of fighters. With his wife Liat and the children – it's not by chance he's here. It's symbolic. He rose to the occasion, and that says it all. He was with us for every match."

Q: What do you think this means for the future of judo in Israel?

"I hope more children will take up judo. Every medal and successful Olympics has the power to deepen the sport further. We saw what it did for gymnastics and taekwondo after the last Games. I hope people remember this historic moment when Israel won three medals in almost 24 hours, all from judo. There's no reason to cut funding; instead, we should invest more. Give our sport financial stability, and you'll see many more medals, both at the Olympics and from the younger generation looking up to us. We need a broad base."

Q: Are you considering competing in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics?

"It's not easy, and it's hard for me to even think about it right now. I know what I've been through and what it takes to reach this moment. Qualification, battles, fights to win – I need to ask myself if I can continue another campaign."

Q: To whom do you dedicate this medal?

"To my wife, who's my private fighter, my queen who sacrifices so much. Also my family, including my parents and in-laws, as well as my grandparents. We're partners in this journey, and the medal is largely thanks to them."

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Israel's Olympic judo team returned home to a hero's welcome on Sunday evening, following their historic medal haul at the Paris Games. Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko, who clinched silver medals, and Peter Paltchik, who secured bronze, were met by hundreds of cheering fans at Ben-Gurion International Airport. The judokas' success was part of a record-breaking weekend for Israel, which saw the nation's athletes win six medals overall, igniting nationwide celebrations.

Video: Judo medalists receive warm welcome upon arrival in Israel / Credit: Shmuel Buchris

A crowd of hundreds awaited them at Ben-Gurion Airport, eager to offer a warm embrace in recognition of their achievements. The welcoming party included the judokas' families, numerous young athletes from the clubs where the medalists train, and many other supportive citizens.

Moshe Ponte, Chairman of the Israel Judo Association, said: "First and foremost, I particularly want to acknowledge those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make these achievements possible – they often go unmentioned. Every Olympics, our Judo Association strives to do its utmost. For these Games, we had only three years to prepare, yet they were our most successful. In Rio, we won 3 medals, in Tokyo one, and now in Paris, three. It's extraordinary, all thanks to our dedicated coaches and staff."

Ponte spoke emotionally about coach Oren Smadja: "It's difficult for me to talk about him. He was my student; I've known him since he was 4. From age 17, I trained him as an athlete and believed wholeheartedly that he would bring home a medal. At 22, he won a medal in Barcelona. That was just one athlete, and now we have a total of six medals in this Olympics, bringing our total to 9. Oren experienced a tragedy that no parent should face – burying a child [killed in the war in Gaza]... I sincerely hope he'll recover and return to coaching the men's team. As for Shani, I could say so much about his accomplishments. He was also my student, and remarkably, he has coached two athletes to the Olympic finals. For me, that's an incredible success."

Peter Paltchik shared: "I honestly didn't know what to expect upon disembarking. We spent a long time in the Olympic Village, isolated in our own bubble, each focused on preparing for our big day. Nothing else mattered because we arrived with a sense of purpose. We knew these Games held special significance, coming in the wake of the greatest tragedy our country has ever known. We felt an immense responsibility, aware that every match carried implications. Our goal was to raise our flag as high as possible, despite those who sought to boycott us."

Raz Hershko added: "I'm overjoyed to have fulfilled my dream. I do feel a twinge of regret about the final, knowing I was so close to gold. It was a bit disappointing, but I'm focusing on the positives. I've dreamed of this for years, and it hasn't always been easy or pleasant. Every day, I pushed myself to work hard. I owe so much to Shani Hershko, my coach, who believed in me and guided me even when I was unsure of my path. Wearing this uniform, raising our flag to its highest point, and showing the world that the people of Israel endure – that's what truly matters."

Inbar Lanir also shared: "The reception was incredibly moving. I want to thank everyone who came – our families and close friends. Representing our country during these times is an enormous responsibility, something I never imagined when I started judo at six years old. Now, 18 years later, to be sitting here with an Olympic medal around my neck – it's surreal. I want to take this moment to send my warmest support to all our citizens, especially those who have suffered physically and emotionally, and to the families of the hostages. While we're the ones returning with medals, we represent countless individuals who work tirelessly behind the scenes, often choosing to forgo recognition despite their invaluable contributions."

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It's amazing what one Olympic Games can do. Until Tokyo, our constant question every Olympic day was: Will we get a medal? Now, in Paris, almost every day since the opening, we've been wondering – how come we don't have a medal yet?! We've grown accustomed to success. And rightfully so, it turns out.

How fortunate we are to have judo to fulfill our hopes. Since 1992, judo has been our true national sport. Israel was never considered a world power in any sport. In recent years, that has changed: There isn't a judo enthusiast in the world who doesn't know Israel.

Video: Judo medalists receive warm welcome upon arrival in Israel / Credit: Shmuel Buchris

Every few weeks, our judokas hop between competitions around the world, collecting titles and bringing much honor to Israel.

Once every four years, they arrive at the Olympics and deliver the goods – goods that fill us with pride, and this time, also provide us with a much-needed breath of fresh air.

Indeed, those who follow closely – and in recent years, several Facebook and WhatsApp groups have been doing just that (including dedicated Olympic groups) – knew that barring any mishaps and given a reasonable draw, Israel would return from Paris with one or two judo medals. Sure enough, Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko lived up to expectations, and Peter Paltchik managed to outdo himself when it mattered most. In what other sports do we have such certainty?

Sometimes, it's hard not to think about what would happen if we concentrated most of our Israeli sports resources on productive disciplines like judo rather than on sports that have brought us so many disappointments and so few titles.

Almost everything has probably been said and written about an Israeli medal in the shadow of the year we've had. The thing is, words cannot describe the intensity of emotion, the release, the love, and the energy that flowed through the Champ-de-Mars Arena. It turns out that money can't buy such a powerful experience – only a silver medal can (and a bronze, too).

Even given the security constraints we had to adopt in Paris, even more than at any previous Olympics, the level of Israeli support on the first day felt like being at Bloomfield Stadium, from chants to personalized cheers.

So what's next? Israeli judo has one stone left to turn. This is, of course, an excellent reason to secure tickets for Los Angeles 2028. And this time, we're not coming back without hearing the national anthem on the mat.

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Israel's great medal hope in women's judo has been delivered. Inbar Lanir, who claimed the world title in the under-78kg category last year, has clinched the Israeli delegation's first Olympic medal in Paris.

She bested world No. 2 Anna Maria Wagner of Germany with a spectacular throw for ippon, propelling her into the final, where she lost in a heroic battle againt Italy's Alice Bellandi - thereby securing a silver medal.

Lanir's achievement marks the first time an Israeli Judoka has reached an Olympic final since Yael Arad's historic performance in Barcelona 1992.

The third-ranked Israeli began her Olympic campaign with a bye into the round of 16, where she swiftly dispatched 28th-ranked Khuslen Otgonbayar of Mongolia, securing victory by ippon in under three minutes.

Lanir's quarterfinal bout pitted her against Guusje Steenhuis of the Netherlands, the world's eighth-ranked competitor whom she had never previously defeated. Today, however, Lanir broke that streak with a lightning-fast ippon just 23 seconds into the match, punching her ticket to the semifinals.

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In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Israeli judoka Peter Paltchik secured a bronze medal at the Olympic Games, overcoming a series of intense matches and a last-second challenge to claim his second career Olympic medal.

Paltchik stepped onto the mat for his first match in the repechage bracket. After a crushing defeat to the top-seeded Azerbaijani in the quarterfinals, the Israeli judoka faced Dutch competitor Michael Korrel, knowing he was just two victories away from his second Olympic medal. The match against Korrel went into golden score, with Paltchik carrying one penalty and the Dutchman two. Paltchik executed a superb technique, securing an impressive ippon. He rushed to embrace his coach, Oren Smadja.

In the decisive bronze medal match against Swiss Daniel Eich, Paltchik dominated and led with a wazari. With just five seconds remaining, he could almost feel the medal in his grasp. However, he received a third penalty, which should have resulted in his disqualification. Paltchik quickly appealed, arguing that one penalty had been counted twice unnecessarily. The appeal was successful, the final seconds ticked away, and the bronze medal was secured in Paltchik's hands.

Earlier in the tournament, Paltchik defeated Gonchingosor Batkhuyga of Mongolia (world No. 11) in the first round with an ippon, and Aurélien Diesse of France (world No. 50) in the round of 16, after the latter received three penalties. In the subsequent match, he lost to Zelim Kotsoev by wazari, after video judges overturned a wazari in favor of the Israeli at the last moment.

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In a display of unsportsmanlike conduct at the Paris Olympics, Tajikistani judoka Nurali Emomali declined to shake hands with his Israeli opponent, Baruch Shmailov, following their round of 16 match on Sunday. Fox News reports that this breach of judo etiquette was met with swift criticism from spectators and social media users alike.

According to Fox News, Emomali, who won the match against Shmailov, chose to walk off the mat without engaging in the traditional post-match handshake. Observers noted that before leaving, Emomali uttered "Allahu Akbar" while making a gesture known as the "Finger of Tawheed," a symbol associated with Islamic beliefs.

Watch this!

Sweet, sweet Karma at #Paris2024 Judo Olympics.

Tajikistan's Nurali Emomali refused to shake hands with Israeli judoka Baruch Shmailov and shouted "𝘼𝙇𝙇𝘼𝙃𝙐 𝘼𝙆𝘽𝘼𝙍" instead.

Then in the next round dislocates his shoulder and ends up sobbing on the mat. pic.twitter.com/69ad7MyjR4

— Kosher (@KosherCockney) July 28, 2024

However, the story took an unexpected turn in Emomali's subsequent match against Japanese Olympian Hifumi Abe. The match against Abe ended dramatically when Abe executed a powerful throw, slamming Emomali to the ground. The impact caused Emomali's left arm to bend and dislocate as he attempted to brace himself. The severity of the injury necessitated Olympic staff members to carry Emomali off the mat.

Many social media users, as reported by Fox News, viewed this unfortunate turn of events as "instant karma" for Emomali's earlier display of poor sportsmanship.

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Israel's women's Judo team is currently holding a training camp in Valencia, Spain.  This week, a surprising guest arrived for the morning training. The guest was Mohammed Kassemi, who was born in Tehran and practiced judo in his youth but 16 years ago had to leave his homeland because of the regime. He went to California, where relatives who had left Iran a few years earlier were waiting for him, and today he lives in the United States and coaches children.

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Over the years, he has fallen in love with Israeli judo and especially with the women's team.  He follows every competition. He has met Olympic bronze medalist Yarden Gerbi twice, was excited to see Inbar Lanir win the world championship recently and now, for the first time, he got to see the team, face to face, in action!

Video: Inbar Lanir competes in Hungary / Credit: Israel Judo Association

"I am very lucky to meet the women's national team and coach Shany Hershko", Kassemi told Israel Hayom, "I just admire their hard work, I don't miss a single competition. Especially, after I left Iran at the age of 26, because of the difficult situation."

Q: What do you know about the Israeli national team?

"I know all the athletes on the men's and women's national teams, but I especially love the women's national team. They have been so successful lately, and I have so much respect for the coaches. Shany is doing a great job and the results are clearly seen. It was fun to watch Sagi Muki do judo, but my favorite was Jordan Jarbi."

Q: What do you think about Muki and the Iranian Saeid Mollaei in the World Championship?

"Remembering this gives me goosebumps. I was hoping to see them both in the final at the Tokyo Olympics, but that didn't happen. Saeid came to Israel and broke the taboo between Israel and Iran. Both countries have a rich culture and I have no doubt that one day there will be peace between the countries, I'm just sure of it."

"We need more peace all over the world, and seeing Saeid arrive in Israel opened the door for more Iranians to compete in the Grand Slam competition in Tel Aviv. Maybe more will come to train and compete, and maybe one day Israelis will also come to Iran to train and compete. It may not happen in six months, but eventually it will happen."

Q: Do you really believe that?

"90% of Iranian residents have no problem with Israel, especially with Israelis. The remaining 10% who support the government receive government funding, and therefore, are unable to express a different opinion."

Kassemi waited and watched the entire national team's training. At the end, he asked to take a picture with coach Hershko and judokas Inbar Lanir and Raz Hershko. He will surely have many experiences to talk about in his new home in the United States.

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Israel judoka Inbar Lanir on Friday won a gold medal at the World Judo Championship in Doha, in the 172 lb category.

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She is the first Israeli female athlete since Yarden Gerbi in 2014 to stand on the top step of the podium of the competition after beating the French Audrey Tcheuméo, ranked 4th in the world.

Tcheuméo, 33, lost in the final to Israel's Inbar Lanir, ranked 7th in the world.

Lanir dedicated her win to Israelis who have dealt with the conflict with Gaza this week.

"I'm happy to dedicate my medal to the residents of the south who are going through a difficult period, to IDF soldiers and to all the State of Israel," she said. "It was so important for me to do something good during such complex and difficult days, and I'm happy and satisfied that I succeeded."

For his part, Israeli Peter Paltchik lost this Friday in the quarterfinals but won the bronze medal after the withdrawal of his Canadian opponent Shady Elnahas due to a rib injury.

Paltchik, who competes in the weight category up to 220 lb, has made a series of impressive performances in recent years, including winning the European Championship three years ago.

Arman Adamian of Russia, competing under a neutral banner, was crowned World Judo Champion on Friday after his victory in the final against Lukas Krpalek of the Czech Republic in the under 220 lb category.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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