Judo – Men’s under-66kg: Pollack’s potential was clear when he ended Junior World Championships in 2009 in 5th place.
By ALLON SINAIgolan pollack(photo credit: courtesy)
Golan Pollack is one of two promising upand- coming athletes added to the Israel delegation despite failing to achieve the local criteria, meaning he will be going to London largely to gain experience ahead of future Olympics.Pollack’s potential was clear for all to see when he ended the Junior World Championships in Paris in fifth place in 2009 and at 20-years-old he will be one of Israel’s youngest representatives in London.The fact the Israel Judo Association was still in administration until last year almost cost Pollack his place at the 2012 Games as there was only enough money to send those who were considered to be Israel’s best judokas to competitions abroad.As a result, Pollack was unable to amass the ranking points he required to achieve the Olympic Committee of Israel’s criteria of being placed among the world’s top 20, but he came close enough, and will be in London due to his young age and the talent he has displayed.The first indication that Pollack could reach London came when he won the World Cup event in Tallinn, Estonia, last June and he should be entering the Olympics brimming with confidence after reaching the last 16 at the European Championships in April and taking medals in two World Cup events last month.The 2016 Rio Olympics were always Pollack’s main goal so anything he should achieve in London will be a pure bonus.
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