In a historic achievement for Israeli sports, Tom Raubeni has secured Israel’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Raubeni, who had never previously clinched a senior circuit medal, delivered a stunning performance in the final race, propelling himself to the top of the podium.
Raubeni’s victory came on the heels of Sharon Kantor’s silver medal win in the women’s event. After finishing second in the qualifiers, Raubeni approached the final with unwavering determination. His bold strategy to break away from his Dutch and Australian competitors proved successful, as he surged ahead to cross the finish line first.
Adding a touch of nostalgia to the moment, Raubeni is coached by Gal Fridman, Israel’s first Olympic gold medalist, who won his medal two decades ago. Fridman’s guidance has now helped another sailor achieve Olympic gold.
This victory in Marseille marks Raubeni’s first race win in the city and came at a crucial juncture. Despite initially believing he had only secured fifth place, Raubeni’s exceptional performance in the final secured the top spot.
This gold medal adds to Israel’s impressive tally at the Paris Olympics, bringing the total to five medals. The count includes bronze for Peter Paltchik and silver medals for Inbar Lanir, Raz Hershko, and Kantor.
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