One of the most illustrious careers in Israeli sports history will officially
come to an end in the coming days, with judoka Arik Ze’evi set to announce his
retirement.
The 35-year-old won his fourth gold medal at the European
Championships earlier this year, but his final memory from the mat will be a
bitter one.
Ze’evi, a bronze medalist from the Athens 2004 Olympics, was
aiming to become the oldest ever winner of an Olympic judo medal in his fourth
Games in London this summer, but he was defeated by Dimitri Peters after just 43
seconds of their first round bout.
Nevertheless, he will be remembered as
one of Israel’s all-time greats after taking his ninth total medal in the
continental championships in April, while also winning a silver medal at the
World Championships in 2001.