Israelian men and women claim victory at New York Open team event

On Sunday the Israelian team has won the team event of the New York Open Judo Championship which was held at the Historic New York Athletic Club, located steps away from equally historic Central Park. Oren Smadga coached Team Israel to win first place and an MVP award, Tal Flicker 66kg, Golan Pollack 73kg, Asaf Chen 81kg, Lee Kochman 90kg, and the men’s MVP Almmog Louzon +90kg.

This prestigious event has seen many Olympic athletes compete, plus countless other high level Judo tournament participant; the New York Open being in the heart of Manhattan is undoubtedly the best, just because of its location.

Team USA fought hard for second place with their coach Jason Morris,USA Olympic Judo coach 2008. Quentin Cook 66kg, Brad Bolen 73kg, Jack Hatton 81kg, Colton Brown 90kg, and Tokuzo Takahashi +90kg.

In a Round Robin tournament that was grueling and amazing to watch, men’s teams from France, Germany, Israel, and the USA started the tournament, with teams France, Israel, and USA all advancing to the finals.

Team France came as close as it gets coming in third place with their coaches Maxime Nouchy and Sauveur Chris Soriano, and manager Vincent Massimino. Clement Czukiewycz 66kg, Alexandre le Boucher 66kg, Tristan Avaliani 73kg, Guillaume Chaine 81kg, Dimitri Gomez-Tavares 90kg, and Jean-Sébastien Bonvoisin +90kg.

The women’s teams were on fire the entire tournament; these ladies showed heart and strength unparalleled to any competition I’ve seen.

Shany Hershko coached these women of team Israel to a first place win with an MVP award, well deserved. Shira Rishony 48kg took the days MVP award, Gili Cohen 52kg, Timma Nelson Levy 57kg, Noa Snir 63kg, and Linda Bolder 78kg.

Team USA took second place. They went toe-to-toe all day giving their opponents some fantastic competition, coached by Jimmy Pedro, USA Olympic JUDO coach 2012 and 2016. Katelyn Bouyssou 48kg, Angelica Delgado 52kg, Marti Malloy 57kg, Hannah Martin 63kg, and Kaelin O’Sullivan 78kg.

Team France took third, they fought tough and hard with their coaches Maxime Nouchy, Sauveur Chris Soriano, and manager Nordine Goudjil. Marine Lhenry 48kg, Aurélia Issoumalia 52kg, Morgane Arthuis 57kg, Alice Fioretti 63kg, and Lucie Perrot 78kg.

The event was live streamed via JudoInside partners of Dokume.