Full Breakdown
Raz Hershko Wins Bronze at World Judo Championships Amid Ongoing Conflict
By Drooid · · How we work
Bronze Medal Triumph at World Judo Championships
Israeli judoka Raz Hershko captured a bronze medal in the women’s heavyweight division at the World Judo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. The 28-year-old, a silver medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics and gold medalist at the 2024 European Championships, burst into tears after securing the podium finish.
War-Related Travel Disruptions
The athlete’s competition schedule has been repeatedly affected by regional conflict. In 2025, a 12-day war between Israel and Iran forced the closure of Israeli airspace, preventing her from traveling to a Budapest event. Earlier in the year, the Shin Bet ordered the Israeli team to leave Uzbekistan, prompting Hershko’s withdrawal from the Tashkent Grand Slam. Despite these setbacks, she remained on the mat in Baku.
Athlete’s Dedication and Reflections
Hershko dedicated her medal to IDF soldier Yonatan Gutin, who was killed on October 7, 2023, while rescuing civilians during the battle for Kibbutz Be’eri. She explained that representing Israel now “carries so much more meaning.” While disappointed that the result was bronze rather than gold, she emphasized her focus on upcoming competitions and a brief two-day rest before training resumes.
Broader Significance for Israeli Sport
The podium finish arrived just days after Israel marked the third anniversary of the October 7 Hamas-led attacks, a date that continues to shape public life and the mindset of athletes abroad. Hershko’s comments underscore a heightened sense of national responsibility among Israeli competitors, reflecting how sport can serve as a conduit for collective morale during periods of national crisis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Representing Israel has always been something that moves me, but at this moment, it carries so much more meaning,” — Raz Hershko