Pascale Bercovitch, an Israeli handcyclist who competed in the 2012 London Paralympics, has overcome the loss of her legs to become a world-class athlete.
By JTA
Israeli windsurfer Lee Korzits won the RS-X windsurfing World Championships for the fourth time.
Lee Korzits in London Olympics – Photo: AP
The gold medal Tuesday in Buzios, Brazil, was the third consecutive world title for Korzits, who won her first gold medal in the 2003 World Mistral Championships.
Korzits failed to medal at last summer’s London Olympics, finishing sixth after starting the final heat in second place.
In 2009, Korzits suffered a near-fatal surfing accident while working on the Professional Windsurfers Association’s tour in Hawaii. Continue Reading »
By IAN DEITCH, Associated Press
JERUSALEM — A U.N aid agency canceled the Gaza marathon on Tuesday after the Palestinian territory’s militant Hamas rulers banned women from participating in the annual sporting event.
UNWRA, which assists Palestinian refugees and also sponsors and organizes the event, announced that plans for the race next month have been scrapped because of the Hamas demand that women be barred.
A statement from agency said that “this disappointing decision follows discussions with the authorities in Gaza who have insisted that no women should participate” in the marathon.
The leaders in the Jerusalem Marathon at the 5k mark, March 1, 2013 – Photo: Melanie Lidman
In second and third place were Luka Kipkemoi Chelimo of Kenya who finished in 2:19:01.95 and Vincent Kiplagat Kiptoo of Kenya who completed the run in 2:20:12.60.
Police moved swiftly Monday to indict two Jerusalem residents on charges of racism over catcalls they made Sunday night at a soccer game Sunday night between Beitar Jerusalem and the Bnei Sakhnin team. Hundreds of police were present at the game in order to prevent racial tension, with fans of Beitar and visiting Arab teams often facing off with each other over insults and threats mounted by each side against the other. Continue Reading »
By JTA
Arsonists set on fire the trophy room of the Betar Jerusalem soccer team one day after the indictment of four of its fans for anti-Muslim hate speech.
Betar Jerusalem fans during match against Maccabi Umm el-Fahm, January 29, 2013. – Photo: Nir Elias/Reuters
Assaf Evers, a fire department spokesman, was quoted by Ynet as saying that the fire was caused deliberately early on Friday morning. Continue Reading »
By Elad Benari, Canada
It was a good day for Israel at the Davis Cup on Sunday, as Amir Weintraub pulled off his second upset victory this week to give Israel a 3-2 win over Japan, AFP reported.
Amir Weintraub (C) of Israel celebrates with teammates – Photo: AFP/Kazuhiro Nogi
The win helps Israel move up to the Davis Cup World Group next year.
With the two teams tied at 2-2, Weintraub defeated Japan’s number two Go Soeda 6-3, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 6-3 to seal victory in the best-of-five contest. Continue Reading »
Joint Arab-Jewish soccer game – Photo: Moshe Milner GPO
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Monday sprained his ankle while participating in a joint Arab-Jewish soccer game for children at Jerusalem’s Kraft Stadium.
The Likud party canceled its faction meeting in light of the injury.
Netanyahu joined the game, staged for Peter Greenberg’s show “The Royal Tour,” but fell after five minutes following a failed swipe at the soccer ball.
Arab-Israeli swimmer Jowan Qupty will represent Israel in the European Swimming Championship. Qupty, 22, was originally denied a spot on the national team. He won a Swimmer’s Association appeal over the decision on Thursday.
According to the Swimming Association, Qupty’s participation in the competition depends on his achieving a better result in the 100m breaststroke than that of Imri Ganiel, who was chosen to compete in the event.
Qupty was excluded from the 100×4 mixed relay set to take place at the swimming championship in Debrecen, Hungary, in June, despite the fact that his result in the 100m breaststroke was better than Ganiel’s. Continue Reading »
Huge achievement for Israel: Arik Ze’evi, Israel’s top judo wrestler for more than a decade now, won the European judo championship in his class for the fourth time Saturday.
Huge win for Ze'evi - Photo by AFP
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Ze’evi Saturday and congratulated him on his achievement.
“You touched all of us,” Netanyahu said. “You put on a show on behalf of the state of Israel; you brought us great honor and hope.”
Meanwhile, President Shimon Peres also conveyed his well-wishes, writing that he is “filled with amazement and appreciation over this wonderful gold medal win.” Continue Reading »
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