Inbar Lanir dedicated her bronze medal win at the Tashkent Grand Slam to Itzik Elgarat, a Hamas hostage murdered in captivity. Elgarat was 68 when abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Hamas returned his body to Israel February 27, 2023. The Israeli women’s judo team garnered three medals at the event.
Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir dedicated her recent bronze medal victory at the Tashkent Grand Slam in Uzbekistan to the family of Itzik Elgarat, a man killed by Hamas. After securing her medal in the -78 kg category against Brazil’s Karol Gimenes, Lanir expressed her commitment to honoring Elgarat’s memory by stating, “I fought today to fly the flag in his memory.”
Itzik Elgarat, a dual Danish-Israeli citizen aged 68, was abducted by Hamas from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack on October 7, 2023. He was shot by the terrorists while seeking refuge and subsequently taken to Gaza. Tragically, during this assault, 1,200 people were killed, and Hamas captured a total of 251 hostages.
Elgarat’s body was returned to Israel on February 27, along with three other hostages, following a prisoner exchange that involved 602 Palestinian detainees. Forensic examinations confirmed that he was murdered during his captivity, and he was laid to rest in Israel the following Monday. He is survived by two children in Denmark and several siblings, including a sister who also endured the October 7 violence.
In addition to Lanir’s bronze, the Israeli women’s judo team achieved significant success at this event. Olympic medalist Raz Hershko finished fifth in the +78 kg category, contributing to a total of three medals for the squad, which included a silver medal for Inbal Shemesh and bronze medals for Timna Nelson Levy and Lanir.
In summary, Inbar Lanir’s bronze medal at the Tashkent Grand Slam is not only a personal achievement but also a poignant tribute to Itzik Elgarat, illustrating the impact of violence on individuals and families. The return of Elgarat’s body highlights the tragic consequences of hostage situations. Furthermore, the Israeli women’s judo team’s performance underscores their competitiveness on the international stage, bringing home multiple medals despite the backdrop of loss and tragedy.
Original Source: www.algemeiner.com
