Israel’s outstanding run at the Cadet and Junior World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Abu Dhabi continued with another impressive haul of medals in the No-Gi competition, as the blue-and-white delegation capped the event with four more podium finishes and second place in the overall medal standings.
Leading the way was Guy Torres, who captured the Under-18 world championship in the under-62 kg division. Fellow Israeli Tamir Naim earned the bronze medal in the same weight class, giving Israel two medals in one of the tournament’s most competitive divisions.
Shalev Snir added a silver medal in the under-56 kg category, while Eden Gamliel finished runner-up in the Under-18 under-69 kg division to round out another successful day for the Israeli squad.
No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu is a style of grappling where fighters wear form-fitting athletic clothes like rash guards and board shorts instead of a traditional heavy cotton uniform. Without fabric to grip, matches move at a much faster pace with a heavy focus on body control, underhooks, and leg locks.
In Abu Dhabi, the Israeli team also collected more medals that did not meet the official criteria for inclusion in the championship standings but nevertheless provided more memorable moments for the delegation, including multiple renditions of Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah.”
The latest success comes on the heels of earlier world titles won by Noga Reshef and Lia Shalev in the traditional gi competition. Altogether, Israel’s cadet and junior team completed the No-Gi championships with 13 medals, including four gold medals, finishing second in the overall medal table.
Throughout much of the competition, Israeli Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Yossi Shelley accompanied the delegation, attending matches, supporting the athletes and coaching staff, and later presenting medals to the Israeli winners during the official award ceremonies.
'Another day of full success'
“We concluded the Cadet and Junior No-Gi World Championships with another day full of success for Team Israel,” said Israel Jiu-Jitsu Association president Erez Elroy. “I want to thank our coaching staff for their preparation and support throughout this demanding competition. I also extend special thanks to Ambassador Yossi Shelley for honoring us with his presence during much of the championship.”
Arik Kaplan, president and CEO of the Ayelet Association, the umbrella organization for Israel’s non-Olympic sports, praised the team’s achievements.
“It was another tremendous day for Israeli jiu-jitsu at the World Championships,” Kaplan said. “Guy, Tamir, Eden and Shalev competed against some of the world’s best athletes and displayed outstanding skill, determination and character. Their performances, together with the team’s overall results and second-place finish in the medal standings, demonstrate the depth and quality of Israel’s next generation of athletes.”