Raz Hershko wins Israel’s second gold at judo Grand Slam in Tel Aviv

Judoka Raz Hershko on Saturday claimed Israel’s second gold medal at the international judo championships in Tel Aviv.

Competing in the 78-kilogram category, Hershko, 24, beat her opponent Kayra Sayit of Turkey in a four-minute contest.

Her victory came a day after fellow olympian Sagi Muki won Israel’s first gold medal of the Grand Slam.

The first-place finishes brought Israel’s medal tally at the tournament to four, with Tamar Malca winning a silver and Timna Nelson Levy claiming a bronze.

Muki also faced a Turkish opponent in the final on Friday, defeating Vedat Albayrak 12 seconds after the bout began.

His last individual medal was in April 2021, when he won bronze at the European Championships. That summer, he was part of the Israeli team that won a bronze medal in mixed judo at the Tokyo Olympics.

Muki, who was world champion in 2019, now has a career total of nine Grand Slam metals.