Israel's Avishag Semberg competes in the women's under 49kg taekwando tournament on the first day of the Tokyo Olympics, July 24, 2021. (Photo/JTA-Danny Lawson-PA Images via Getty Images) Sports 19-year-old taekwondo fighter wins Israel’s first Olympic medal in Tokyo Facebook Twitter Email SMS WhatsApp Share By Gabe Friedman, JTA | July 26, 2021 Avishag Semberg, a 19-year-old taekwondo fighter, won bronze in the women’s under 49 kg category on Saturday, giving Israel its first medal of the Tokyo Olympics and its first ever in the sport. Semberg was not predicted to medal, but she earned the bronze after defeating Turkey’s Rukiye Yldrm. After the match, she embraced Yael Arad, a former judoka who was Israel’s first Olympic medalist in 1992, in the stands, The Times of Israel reported. “I said to myself, ‘I want this medal more than she does,’ and I did it… I have an Olympic medal at 19, it’s a dream come true,” Semberg said after her win. Semberg’s first win earlier in the day was Israel’s first ever Olympic win in any taekwondo category. She had won gold in the European championships earlier this year. Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that involves punching and kicking, often at head height, and sometimes in spinning fashion. Israel is expected to win at least one medal in judo, a Japanese martial art that features wrestling techniques. Gabe Friedman Gabe Friedman is deputy managing editor at the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. JTA Content distributed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency news service. Also On J. Sports Olympics opening ceremony honors Israelis murdered in Munich Religion ‘My Unorthodox Life’: Uninteresting and superficial Bay Area Man arrested in Campbell dreamed of ‘whites only’ community Bay Area Rise of Delta variant pushes Bay Area Jewish groups to change course Subscribe to our Newsletter Enter Email Sign Up