Itongadol.- Israeli judoist Yarden Gerbi took the bronze medal for the under-63kg competition at the Judo European Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Friday.
Gerbi scaled the podium for a second straight year, coming in second place in 2012.
"It wasn\’t such a good day, but I\’m so happy that I got overcame it all and I made it. I couldn\’t have done it without my coach Shani Hershko," Gerbi posted on her Facebook page.
"Jordan, you are an outstanding example of willpower and mental strength," Igal Carmi, the Olympic Committee of Israel president gushed, following her victory. "The fact that you did not manage to get a ticket to London spurred you on and motivated you to to continue in Judo and to do everything you can to realize your personal dream, to participate in the Olympic Games."
"You are emerging as a super athlete, and your success at the European Championships today explains how ambitious you are and how much you believe in yourself," he added.
Gerbi will receive a special grant of NIS 25,000 from a joint fund of the Olympic Committee of Israel, the sports administration and the betting council. Her coach Shani Hershko will reverie half the amount.
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