Ranked at No. 4 in the world in her weight category, Gerbi is considered to be one of Israel’s best medal hopes in Rio.
By JERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFFUpdated: JULY 31, 2016 11:33Yarden Gerbi(photo credit: Courtesy)
Date of Birth: July 8, 1989 (age 27)Event: Women’s Judo (under-63 kilogram category)Schedule in Rio: Competition – August 9Career highlight: Gold medal at the 2013 World ChampionshipsOutlook for Rio: Gerbi is considered to be one of Israel’s best medal hopes in Rio, but she has experienced several near misses in recent major events. After claiming a gold medal at the 2013 World Championships and a silver in 2014, she ended last year’s edition and this year’s European Championships in fifth place, losing in the bouts for the bronze medal. She is nevertheless ranked at No. 4 in the world in her weight category, ensuring she will be seeded in Rio and receive a relatively easier draw as she looks to join fellow judoka Yael Arad as the only Israeli woman to win an Olympic medal.