05.03.2010 Gili to Singapour Olympics Gili Haimovich (2009 European Junior Champion) made again history when achieving a first Israeli Olympic ticket in Teakwondo for the first Youth Olympic Games which will be held in Singapore in August 2010. Competing in the 48 kg category, Gily won Ireland, Thailand, lost to Argentina and later won Kazakhstan in the repechage. Gili belongs to the Golden Team project of Israel Sport Ministry. Kadan Shafrir (55 kg) won Kazakhstan and lost to Sweden. She ranked 9th. Ohad Sagir and Eilon Maison ranked 17th winning one fight each. Greetings to Gili, to the athletes and to National Coach Yechiam Sharabi! International Referee Avi Caduri was promoted to Video Replay Supervisor Referee position. See also drawing lots for World Junior Championships to begin today in Tijuana http://www.isr-tkd.com/docs.php 09.02.2010 Israel International Referee Seminar 59 referees from 21 countries participated in the very successful WTF 58th International Referee Seminar and the 71st International Referee Refresher Course that took place in Jerusalem from February 9th to 12th 2010. Michel Madar, WTF Council member, thanked in the opening Ceremony Dr. Choue, WTF president, and WTF for allowing both seminars to take place for the 1st time in Israel. All Referees were unanimous to thank Chakir Chelbat, new chairman of the WTF Referee Committee and WTF Instructor in both seminars, for his excellent work. Kisam Kim from WTF Referee Department was in charge for the general organization of both seminars with the help and cooperation of Israel Taekwondo Federation. All referees were able to study and work according to the new high standards of today Taekwondo on 2 competition areas, fully equipped with Electronic Body Protectors and Video Replay. Finally the full team of Israeli Referees who participated in both seminars will ensure further promotion and development of Taekwondo in Israel. 09.02.2010 Women's Tournament Athena 22.12.2009 Children's Olympic Games Taekwondo has been recognized as Official Sport for the first time in the 2010 Children's Olympic Games. The event, which will take place in Mai 2010, will gather kids athletes from 8 different regional authorities: Hod Hasharon, Ra'anana, Pardesia, Shoham, Kfar Saba, Petah Tikva, Modi'in and Rosh Ha'ayn. This one day event will be held at the Hod Hasharon's Sportek center. The athletes from those regional authorities born in 1997-2000, will be invited to compete, in different weight categories. Coach Niv Mozes will be in charge of organizing this tournament. 05.12.2009 Israel Team in Cyprus Open Israel National team participated yesterday in the Cyprus Open championship along with 3 other teams. Here are the results: Amir Ben-David (up to 54 kg - Lions Club) won the gold medal with 2 wins. Yuval Bohbot (Hapoel Kfar Saba – 63 kg) won the silver medal with 2 victories. Sapir Tzabari (Ahi Yehuda – 57 kg) won the bronze medal with one victory. Yonatan Amir (Haarayot – 58 kg) was ranked fifth with one victory. Participated as well Roman Rousinov (Sharabi – 74 kg) and Maxim Illyan (Sharabi – 54 kg). Greetings to National Coach Yulia Koksharov, to the athletes and coaches. On the picture: Yulia with other heads of delegations on the podium 24.11.2009 Korean Ambassador Cup 23.11.2009 Raanana Club in Holland (Poumsae) 03.11.2009 European Championships -21 Gili Haimovich (50 kg-Sharabi Martial Arts), 2009 European Junior Champion, ranked fifth at the European Championship for 21 years, that is taking place in Vigo (Spain) from November 6th. Gili automatically bypassed the first round, then won Cyprus and lost to Ukraine (silver medal) with only one point of difference. Moti Lugassi (54 kg-Ahi Yehuda) ranked fifth as well, after automatically bypassing the first round, won Georgia and lost to Turkey (gold medal). On November 7th, the following athletes will start to compete: David Sultan (78 kg-Haifa) will compete against Azerbaijan, Adam Sagir (62 kg-Ahi Yehuda) will compete against Portugal and Alon Elboher (67 kg-Sharabi Martial Arts) will compete against Portugal. On November 8th will compete Liran Malachi (58 kg-Sharabi Martial Arts) against Rumania, and Yoni Ben-Aharon (72 kg Ahi Yehuda) against Hungaria. National Coaches Yehiam Sharabi and Mark Birginsky are coaching the athletes. International Referee Shalom Levi was invited to referee. You can watch the competition from Federation’s web site at: http://www.isr-tkd.com/docs.php or also at http://www.dartfish.tv/Library.aspx?CR=p2c5832 01.11.2009 Jessica Mendel referee in Portugal International (Technical) Referee Jessica Mendel (Maccabi Raanana) has been invited to referee at next Technical European Championship, taking place in Portugal from November 13th. Israeli National Team includes National Technical coach Arieh Baygan (Ha-arayot) who will compete at Masters category, and Zvi Pefner (Ha-arayot) who will compete at Senior category. We wish good luck to all candidates. On the picture: Gold medalist Referee Mendel at the 2009 Hungarian Technical Championship, with her athletes Erick Sarga (Maccabi Raanana) who ranked sixth, and Maya Weinberg (Maccabi Raanana) who ranked 16th 30.10.2009 80 participants in RefereeSeminar 15.10.2009 Batel ranked 9th in Copenhagen 13.10.2009 Dr Choue reelected WTF President Dr. Chou was reelected president for an additional period of 4 years as president of the World Taekwondo Federation. Tomorrow the Israeli competitors will begin to compete in the World Championship, which takes place in Copenhagen (Denmark) until 18/10/09. Batel Geterer (Ahi Yehuda - 57 kg) will compete against the winner between Algeria and Australia. Following that, Anna Mirkin (Sharabi - 53) will compete against Guatemala, Tom Hovav (Haarayot – 68 kg) against Italy, and Liran Malachi (Sharabi – 53 kg) against France. We wish good luck to all athletes, to National Coaches Adi Davidov and Yehiam Sharabi, and to international referee Avi Caduri, who was invited to this prestigious event. For more information visit the Israeli Federation. The Israel Taekwondo Federation warmly congratulates President Choue for his reelection. 06.10.2009 Golden Team Cession in Wingate 27.09.2009 President Choue in Turkey 07.09.2009 Science Report for Coaches After 3 years of research, in order to follow after the physiological and hormonal response of elite Taekwondo fighters, the final results, conclusions and practical recommendation were presented by the research staff. The results exhibited for coaches .In addition, The research will be presented by Dr. Ruthi Pilz Burshtein and Yaniv Ashkenazi, next week during a science congress in France. The research was performed thanks to collaboration between Israel Taekwondo Federation, World Taekwondo Federation, the Unit for Nurture Outstanding Young Athletes, Wingate Institute , Meir Medical Center. On the photo Dr. Ruthi Pilz Burshtein, Director General of Wingate National Sports Institute and scientist. 14.09.2009 3 International Referees Greeting to 3 new Israeli International Referees Yaakov Kremer (Lachish), Odelia Amir (Ahi Yehuda) and Tamara Pastague (Moses Taekwondo). The three successfully passed the official WTF tests during an international seminar held in Kenya, in which participated 60 candidates from 30 countries, mostly African and Middle Eastern countries. Olympic Seminar TKD Coaches 06.09.2009 Jerusalem Open 2009 For Pool Lists http://www.isr-tkd.com/docs.php Select Jerusalem Open 2009 Pools For photos see site http://www.one.co.il/cat/images/first.aspx?packageId=9012 Or ask for better ones directly through our mail tkd@smile.net.il 05.09.2009 10 Countries at Jerusalem Open 10 Countries are participating to the 7th Jerusalem Open Taekwondo Championships, under the patronage of Alex Gilady IOC Member and with the cooperation of Jerusalem Municipality Sport Authority. The Championships will take place in Malha Venue. This Tournament will be the last one before the next World Championships to take place in Copenhagen in October 2009. The Tournament attracts this year many high ranked Athletes for example Marlene Harnois (France) European Champion, Coutant Maeva (France) World Junior Champion, Garay Alberto (Spain) Junior World Vice-Champion, Orcun Ozerturk (Germany) European Junior Champion and many other gold medalists in A-Class European Tournaments. The Tournament will begin at 09:00 and will be lived broadcast from 12 a.m. through Internet site http://www.one.co.il/ 30.08.2009 Gold for Batel, Bronze for Motti Two medals for Israeli athletes in Manchester Open (A class): Batel Geterer had won a gold medal with victories over Egypt, Germany, England and Germany. Moti Lugasy won a bronze medal with victories over England and Germany and loosing in the semifinal to Poland. Greetings to National Coaches Adi Davidov, Mark Birginsky and Yehiam Sharabi, and Coach Boaz Asulin. 29.08.2009 Tom Bronze in England - A Class Tom Hovav (Ha'arayot, 68 kg) had won a bronze medal in Manchester Open (A Class). Tom had automatically bypass the first round, technically won Nigeria, and won against Poland and England, loosing the semifinal to Germany. Yoni Ben-Aharon (Ahi Yehuda, 68 kg) was ranked ninth with victories over Ireland and England and loosing to France. Anna Mirkin (Sharabi, 53 kg), had won the first round against Ireland and was forced to quit the competition due to an injury. Michal Tarabalos (Ha'arayot, 62 kg) won Sweden and lost to Denmark. Sapir Zabari (Ahi Yehuda, 53 kg) had lost to Korea and Yuval Bohbot (Hapoel Kfar Saba, 58 kg) lost to France. Greetings to National Coaches Adi Davidov, Yehiam Sharabi and Mark Birginsky, and to personal coaches Aviad Bloch and Shlomo Tal. 09.08.2009 Junior Team competed in Muju As part of preparation for the 1st Junior Olympic Games 2010, an Olympic training camp was held in Muju with the particpation of Israeli athletes. Moti Lugassy (Ahi Yehuda - 63 kg) won a first fight against Uzbekistan and the second against Cambodia, loosing the third to Australia. Ron Atias (Sharabi - 55 kg) won Madagascar (Tech) and Jordan, and lost the third fight to Korea in a very close fight against one of the highest level opponents in the whole competition. Eran Gilad (Ahi Yehuda – 73 kg) won Singapore in the first fight and lost to Jordan in the second one. Liran Malachi (Sharabi - 63 kg) lost the first fight to Thailand. Liran gave a good fight against a high-level opponent. Gili Haimovich (Sharabi - 48 kg) fought his first fight to Ron's Korean opponent. Ohad Sagir (Ahi Yehuda - 55 kg), lost his first fight in the last seconds to Turkey after giving a strong fight. Eylon Maison (Sharabi - 73 kg) lost to Italy in the first fight. Cadan Shafrir (Sharabi - 55 kg) lost to China in first fight. Yuval Lustiger (Hapoel Kfar Saba - 49 kg) lost to China in first fight. Congratulations to the athletes and National Coach Yehiam Sharabi 08.08.2009 Michel Madar at Foreign Ministery Michel Madar was the guest of the Korean Foreign Minister along with Dr. Choue WTF President, Dr. Wu Ching-kuo, IOC member from Chinese Taipei and president of the International Boxing Association, Dr. Tomas Sithole, director of the IOC International Cooperation and Development Department and Ivan Dibos, IOC member from Peru and WTF Council member. Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan mentioned Israeli Taekwondo from a personal perspective from the time he served as ambassador in Israel, and even remembered an event at Ahi Yehuda club where he was the guest of honor of chief coach Avi Caduri. The minister and the members of the International Olympic Committee brought their appreciation and support to the policy of Dr. Choue as President of the World Federation. Let us mention as well the Junior National Team participation to an Olympic training camp in Muju with National Coach Yehiam Sharabi – an event supported by the Olympic Committee of Israel 20.07.2009 Michel Madar met IOC members Michel Madar met with International Olympic Committee members Dr. Thomas Bach (Germany) IOC Vice-President, Patrick Hickey (Irland) President of European Olympic Committee and Alex Gilady (Israel) in the office of the Olympic Committee of Israel. Those world known personalities were special guests of the 18th Maccabiah Games. Michel Madar first thanked Alex Gilady for his efforts to promote Sport in Israel, and then gave a report on the last training camp of the national team in Germany and on Taekwondo today. Zvi Varchaviak, President of the Olympic Committee of Israel, signed a cooperation agreement with the German Olympic Committee. On the picture from right to left Patrick Hickey, Michel Madar, Dr. Thomas Bach and Alex Gilady. 20.07.2009 Maccabia-US and Israel best Teams The 18th Maccabia Games took place on July 20th, 2009 in Malha venue in Jerusalem. Israel took 1st in the male category while USA 1st in the female category. Officials who took part in the ceremony included Korean Ambassador Ma, Dr. Paul Viscogliosi Chairman of the WTF Medical Commission, Michel Madar Israel Taekwondo Federation president, Dudu Malka vice-director of the Sport Authority and Maurice Fajerman president of Mahal France. Photos Noam Efron. Full results of the Games can be found in our site on page http://www.isr-tkd.com/docs.php Maccabia, Women Jewish & Fighters Women, Jewish and Fighters: Female Taekwondo Athletes from USA, Russia and France to the 18th Maccabia Games 01.07.2009 Sport Minister and the Champions A ceremony showing appreciation to outstanding Israeli athletes headed by Sports Minister Limor Livnat was held today (July 1st, 2009) in the Minister’s office in Tel-Aviv. To the event were invited Gili Haimovitz (Sharabi club) European Junior Champion in Taekwondo (May 2009), David Ben-Elisha (Sharabi club), Vice-World Champion in Para-Taekwondo (June 2009), European champion in sailing Shahar Zuberi and Vice-World Cadet Champion in boxing Dan Aharonov. The event was attended also by Korean Ambassador Ma who noted the importance of Taekwondo in Israel, Sports Minister Director Dr. Uri Sheffer, Competition Minister Director Uri Harlap, Taekwondo Chairman Shimshon Hai-Yossef, Taekwondo National Coach Adi Davidov, other sport official and families. Greetings to the athletes and to Minister Limor Livnat for this first time ceremony. On the photo (Adi Davidov), all champions with Minister Livnat and Ambassador Ma. National Team in German media 27.06.2009 Ron European Cadet Champion Tremendous achievements to the Israeli athletes at the European Cadets Championship held in Zagreb Croatia, on June 26-28 2009. First to congratulate gold medalist Ron Attias (Sharabi Club, 49 kg), who achieved 5 victories against Cyprus, Spain, Germany, England and Sweden, and then bronze medalist Michal Zrihan (Tigers Modi’in, 47 kg) who won Bosnia and France, loosing semi-final to Spain. Yassmin Val (Maccabi Yassmin, 52 kg) and Edi Srvensko (Korio Beer Sheva, 41) lost both to Belarus. All the competitors belong to the “Golden Hope” project of the Sport’s Minister. Greetings to the athletes, to National Coaches Yehiam Sharabi and Mark Birginsky. 26.06.2009 Israel National 2009 for age till 21 First Israel Championship up to 21 years old successfully took place on June 26, 2009 in the city of Modi’in, hosted by Tigers Club and coach Erez Aharoni. 70 males and females athletes from clubs all over the country took part in the event. Once again, one could observe the encouraging step forward of Taekwondo in Israel. With no surprises, most of the medalists were member of the National Team. Both Clubs from Jerusalem ranked 1st Ahi Yehuda in the male category, and Hwarang Jerusalem in the female category. Congratulations to Tournament Director Alain Benayoun, and to Referee Chairwoman Dr. Lilach Gabish, and Head of referees Shalom Levy. Photos Noam Ofran. See results on http://www.isr-tkd.com/docs.php. 20.06.2009 Team compete today vs. Germany The Israeli National Taekwondo Team is competing today against the German Nuremberg team as part of the professional preparation for the October World Championships in Denmark. The Team is hosted by Turkish-German Özer Gülec, manager of one of the top German clubs. The excitement surrounding the arrival of the Israeli athletes could be observed in the streets as well as on the exercise mat. “Why come to Germany and train in a mostly Muslim athlete’s club?” asked a journalist to one of the Israeli athletes. The answer was simple and yet businesslike: “The mentality is quit similar; the hosting is charming, the food resembles ours, and there are even familiar words.” One must recognize the major role Israeli National Coach Adi Davidov has played in this event by making the first contact with Mr. Gülec. This important step led the team to one of its most notable projects thus far. 17.06.2009 Women Day-Eva Gunther Memory More than 70 female athletes participated in the traditional Women's Sports Day on June 17, 2009. This day was dedicated to the memory of the young American athlete, Eva Lea Gunther, who held a black belt in Taekwondo and passed away prematurely. The Gunther family wished to commemorate Eva's name by granting scholarships to young female Ethiopian athletes. The aim of the scholarship project is to facilitate the absorption of these athletes into Israeli society through joint Taekwondo activities with their Israeli-born counterparts. On Women's Day, all athletes competed in various events. The event was organized by Israel Taekwondo Federation, in cooperation with the Joint and the Ministry of Absorption (Klita). Coach Yael Eaglestein was in charge to organize this day. Our Olympic Athlete Bat-El Geterer also came to share her rich experience with the other athletes. 16.06.2009 National Team in Nuremberg Israel National Team is a special guest at Özer Gülec Club in Nuremberg, one of the best clubs in Germany. Özer Gülec, National Coach of German Taekwondo Federation, will also organize a Tournament between the 2 Teams on Saturday 20th - see photo. Among the best German players Servet Tazegül (-72kg), Rabia Gülec (-59kg), Orcun Öztürc (-58kg), Tahir Gülec (-67kg), Tugba Özen (-51 kg), Tugba Ucak (-55kg). Meanwhile the 12 Israeli players, leaded by National Coaches Adi Davidov and Yieham Sharabi, are training all day long with National Coach Özer Gülec. 10.06.2009 Silver in 1st Para-World Championsh. David Ben Elisha has won a silver medal when participating today at the 1st Para-Taekwondo World Championships taking place in Baku in Azerbaijan in the +80 kg category "amputation above elbow 1 arm". He won in semi-final Canada and lost to Azerbaijan 1-1 on referees' decision in the final. David can be considered as a "miracle" as he almost died after a terror bomb attack in Tel Aviv in 2003. After extreme severe injuries in his whole body including head, he succeeded to come back to training after 2 years of intensive medical treatments. Congratulations to David and Yieham Sharabi National Coach and to the World Taekwondo Federation and his President Dr. Choue for this great success. On the photo David getting 1 point on the Azeri fighter 05.06.2009 Cyprus Team special guest The Cyprus Senior National Team, leaded by National Coach M. Pilavikas and 4 leading athletes, came to a training camp following the invitation of the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Israeli Federation, Master Avi Kaduri (head coach of the club Ahi Yehuda). The Cyprus team participated in a training cession in the Ahi Yehuda club, as well as with the Israeli Senior National Team. On the photo: Master Avi Kaduri (third from left) with Cyprus National Team in the Old City of Jerusalem. 29.05.2009 Gili European Junior Champion! History today at the 2009 Junior European Taekwondo Championships where Gili Haimovitz won the 1st ever gold medal for Israel in an European Championships! Gili (Sharabi Club-Yechiam Sharabi coach) won in the 45kg category Cyprus, Spain, Germany and Russia. Yesterday Liran Malachi (Sharabi Club-Yechiam Sharabi coach) ranked 5th with victories on Germany and Belgium. The Championships is taking place in Trellerborg (Sweden). International Referee Avi Kadouri has been invited to referee. Congratulations to the athletes, to the coaches Marc Birginski and Yechiam Sharabi. 14.05.2009 Video IOC President in WTF office 10.05.2009 Video Batel France 03.05.2009 France Batel Yuval & Roman silver The 6th French-Speaking Countries World Cup took place in the city of Lille in France, with 158 athletes from 21 different countries. Batel Geterer (Ahi Yehuda -57 kg), defeated Cameroon and Ivory Coast, and lost the final to France. Yuval Bohbot (Hapoel Kfar Saba -58 kg) won Mali and France and lost the final to Laos. Roman Rousinov (Sharabi - 78 kg) won Ivory Coast and lost to Belgium; he ranked 5th. In the Espoirs Tournament, Roman Roussinov won a silver medal with victories on Mali and Andorra and lost the final Central African Republic. Sapir Tzabari (Ahi Yehuda - 57 kg) lost to Cameroun. Altogether, Israel ranked 4th among all participating nations. Congratulations to National Coach Yehiam Sharabi, to the athletes and to the coaches. The Tournament was held with electronic protectors and with the new WTF Competitions rules, including 8 meters to 8 meters area, and especially the revolutionary video-replay system. In the photo: Yuval standing on the podium. 02.05.2009 Michel Madar with Dr. Choue At the 6th Coupe du Monde de la Francophonie taking place in France on May 3rd, Batel Geterer (Achi Yehuda -57 kg) and Yuval Buchbut (Hapoel Kfar Saba -58 kg) got a silver medal. Roman Rusinov (Sharabi Martial Club -78) got a silver medal in the category "Espoir". Sapir Zabari (Achi Yehuda-55 kg) also participated in the tournament. New competitions rules including Video Replay and Electronic Protectors were used. Israel ranked 4th among the 21 participating countries. Dr. Choue, WTF President, reported to the 30 delegates of the General Assembly of the French Speaking Countries, about Taekwondo progresses including 1st World Para-Taekwondo Championships, Web-TV, new Poumse Tournament at 2009 Universiada, inauguration of the new WTF offices in Lausanne with Dr Rogge, IOC President, next 2010 Junior Olympic Games, ASOIF recommendation for 2016 Olympic Games to include 26 Sports including Taekwondo and so on. On photo Michel Madar and Dr. Choue with 120 International Referees participating at the Refresher Referee Seminar (also in France)-right side Israeli Referees Avi Kadouri and Shalom Levy. design:atarim home welcome teams officials clubs gallery links contact