Israel concluded its participation in the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships held in Abu Dhabi over the weekend with a strong overall performance, securing multiple medals across various age groups from youth to senior competitors.
On the final day of the tournament, Nimrod Ryder earned a bronze medal in the senior men’s under-85 kilogram category. Ryder, a two-time World Games gold medalist, added this podium finish to an already notable championship run for the Israeli delegation.
In the senior women’s division, 20-year-old Maya Bachar claimed a silver medal in her first appearance at the World Championships at this level. Bachar narrowly missed the gold in a closely contested final against the reigning world champion from the United Arab Emirates. The match drew applause from the Abu Dhabi audience for its intensity and high skill level.
Other senior Israeli athletes also delivered commendable results. Noga Reshef placed fifth in the women’s under-63 kilogram division, while Maya Dai finished fifth in the under-52 kilogram class. In the men’s competition, Mark Lipetz, Omri Haviv, and Miter Rosenfeld each secured fifth place in the under-56 kilogram, under-62 kilogram, under-69 kilogram, and under-77 kilogram divisions respectively.
Israel’s younger competitors experienced significant success as well. In the Gi discipline, Noga Reshef and Lia Shale won gold medals. In No-Gi events, cadet and junior athletes also brought home medals, with Guy Torres crowned world champion in the under-18 division. Eden Gamliel and Shalev Shnir earned silver medals, and Tamir Naim took bronze. The team’s achievements spanned multiple categories including under-16, under-18, under-21, and senior levels.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Yossi Shelley, attended much of the competition, supporting the athletes and coaching staff. Shelley presented medals during the award ceremonies, reinforcing diplomatic and cultural ties amid the sporting event.
Erez Elroy, president of the Israel Jiu-Jitsu Association, highlighted the championship as a testament to the dedication and preparation of the athletes and their coaches. Elroy also expressed gratitude to the support teams and to Ambassador Shelley for his involvement.
Arik Kaplan, president and CEO of Ayelet, Israel’s umbrella organization for non-Olympic sports, praised the depth and quality of the Israeli team. Kaplan emphasized the national pride generated by the delegation’s medal haul and strong finishes and pledged ongoing support for the development of jiu-jitsu in Israel.
The results in Abu Dhabi underscore Israel’s growing prominence in world jiu-jitsu competitions across multiple levels and age groups.