18th Maccabiah
לגעת ברגעים גדולים
Touched by Greatness[1]
Host cityTel Aviv, Israel
Nations55
Debuting countries Grenada
 Kazakhstan
 Palau
 Slovenia
 Uzbekistan
Athletes9,000
OpeningJuly 12, 2009
ClosingJuly 24, 2009
Opened byJason Lezak
Main venueRamat Gan Stadium

The 18th Maccabiah Games (Hebrew: המכביה ה-18 ישראל תשס"ט), were held in July 2009.[2] According to the organizing committee these were the largest games held yet. These Games were the world's fifth-largest sporting event, behind the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, World Police and Fire Games, and Universiade. On the 13 July, more than 6,000 Jewish athletes from all over the world joined Team Israel's 3,000 participants at the Ramat Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv District, Israel, for the opening ceremony.[3] American swimmer Jason Lezak was given the honor of lighting the Maccabiah torch at the Opening Ceremony.[4]

History

The Maccabiah Games were first held in 1932.[5] In 1961, they were declared a "Regional Sports Event" by, and under the auspices and supervision of, the International Olympic Committee.[6][7][8] Among other Olympic and world champions, swimmer Mark Spitz won 10 Maccabiah gold medals before earning his first of nine Olympic gold medals.[9]

The Maccabiah Games are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, as well as to all Israeli athletes regardless of ethnicity or religion. Arab Israelis have also competed in it.[10][11]

Notable competitors

Jason Lezak at the Games.
Guy Barnea at the Games.
Keren Siebner

Oliver Gindin started the tournament well, but a hamstring injury had an impact on his game. However, internal pressure was taking it's tool on Oliver, but he still managed to fill his shoes both as a box-to-box midfielder and the indispensable leader.

Greco-Roman former world champion wrestler Lindsey Durlacher was the flagbearer for the US, and Olympic pole vaulter Jillian Schwartz, who later won a gold medal, was one of the US banner bearers.[12][13]

American Max Fried, who in 2017 became a major league baseball player with the Atlanta Braves, won a gold medal with the Team USA Juniors baseball team.[14]

US Olympic and world champion swimmer Jason Lezak won four gold medals (in the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4 × 100 m freestyle relay, and 4 × 100 m medley relay), while setting four Maccabiah records, and was named the most outstanding male athlete of the Games.[13] American basketball players Dan Grunfeld led the US Open Men's Basketball team, which included Bryan Cohen and Zack Rosen, to a gold medal over Israel, as college basketball coach Bruce Pearl coached the team, assisted by Doug Gottlieb.[13] American swimmer Andrea Murez won nine medals (five gold and four silver), breaking all-time Maccabiah Games records while winning gold medals in four individual events: 50m freestyle (26.44); 100m freestyle (0:56.44); 200m freestyle (2:03:45); and 200m Individual Medley (2:20.74), and earned her 5th gold medal anchoring the USA 4 × 100m Freestyle Relay team, which set an all-time Maccabiah Games record (3:53:55).[15]

Israeli swimmers who won gold medals were future Olympian Amit Ivry in the Women's 100m butterfly (with a time of 58.50), Keren Siebner in the 4 × 200 m freestyle and the 4 × 100 m medley, Guy Barnea in the Men's 100m backstroke (with a time of 54.22, setting a new Maccabiah Games record and Israeli record), Gal Nevo in the 400m medley, Olympian Michael Halika in the 200 m individual medley, and Alon Mandel in the 100m butterfly (setting a new Maccabiah Games record of 52.99 seconds).[16][17][18] Israeli swimmers who won silver medals included Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or in the 100m freestyle (49.02; behind Jason Lezak, and a new Israeli record) and Vitali Pushkar in the 50m freestyle behind Jason Lezak.[19][20][21]

Israeli judokas Or Sasson, a future Olympic bronze medalist, and Golan Pollack, a future world championship bronze medalist, won gold medals at −100 kg and half lightweight (under 66 kg), and Gili Cohen won a bronze medal.[22][23][24] Israeli judokas Yarden Gerbi, a future world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, and Gregory Rudelson won silver medals.[25][26] Brazilian judoka and future world championship silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist Felipe Kitadai won a bronze medal at U60, beating Lindsey Durlacher along the way.[27][28][29] Aaron Cohen won a bronze medal for the United States.[30][31]

Israeli champion and future Olympian Laetitia Beck won an individual gold medal and a team gold medal in golf at the Games.[32] Israeli fencers who won gold medals were Olympians Tomer Or in men's foil, and Ayelet Ohayon in women's team foil.[33][34][35]

Israeli gymnast and future Olympian Valeria Maksyuta won gold on the vault, and silver medals in the all-around and on the uneven bars.[36] Israeli gymnast and future Olympian Alexander Shatilov won four gold medals and two silver medals.[37] Hungarian gymnast Orsolya Nagy won a bronze medal; also a fencer, she won a bronze medal in the individual sabre event at the 2009 World Fencing Championships.[38]

Israeli runner and future Olympian Maor Tiyouri was the silver medalist in the 1500m and a bronze medalist in the 800m.[39][40] Russian Olympian Igor Pavlov won the gold medal in the pole vault.[41] Israeli Olympic pole vaulter Alex Averbuch also competed in the Games.[42]

In football, Sam Sloma won a silver medal with Great Britain.[43] Israelis Timor Avitan, Nir Bitton, Tzahi Elihen, Sari Falah, Muayan Halaili, Adir Maman, Barak Moshe, Alon Turgeman, Arik Yanko, Osher Zeitun, and Hana Nasser won a bronze medal in football.[44][45][46] Zac MacMath and Kyle Altman competed for Team USA in football.[47][48][49] Alon Badat, Gil Vainshtein, and Felix Gelt competed for Canada.[50] Steven Solomon competed for Australia as captain of its junior soccer team.[51] Barry Silkman played football for the gold medal-winning 45-plus Team GB.[52]

Bensiyon Songavkar played for Team India and won a silver medal in cricket.[53][54] Jason Molins, Mark Bott, and Darren Gerard played for the UK in cricket.[55]

Chess grandmaster Judit Polgár from Hungary, the number 1 rated woman in the world, was named the Maccabiah's most outstanding female athlete of the Games.[13] Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi, later ranked fourth in the world, won a gold medal, and Israeli grandmaster Boris Gelfand and Slovenian grandmaster Alexander Beliavsky competed in the tournament.[56][57][58] Russian grandmaster Evgeny Najer won the rapid tournament in Netanya, ahead of Nepomniachtchi, Beliavsky, Gelfand, Judit Polgar, and Ukrainian grandmaster Pavel Eljanov.[59][60] German grandmaster Daniel Fridman also competed in chess.[61]

American Brian L. Roberts won a silver medal in squash.[62] Zach Test and Shawn Lipman played for the US Maccabiah rugby union team, winning a bronze medal.[63][64]

Ukrainian future world championship silver medalist Vasyl Fedoryshyn competed in wrestling.[65] Canadian Olympic wrestler David Zilberman competed as well.[50]

Canadian volleyball player and future Olympian Josh Binstock competed for Canada.[66][67][68]

Participating communities

*Reference.[69]

Medal count

Medals in the 18th Maccabiah, front
Medals in the 18th Maccabiah, back

  *   Host nation (Israel)

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1 Israel*11811887323
2 United States495352154
3 Russia15101439
4 Canada991735
5 South Africa60410
6 France5218
7 Australia43815
8 Great Britain27514
9 Mexico24814
10 Brazil2226
11 Netherlands2024
12 Hungary2002
13 Argentina1225
14 Sweden1102
15 Georgia1023
 Ukraine1023
17 Chile1001
 Finland1001
 Guatemala1001
20 Germany0246
21 Latvia0202
22 Costa Rica0101
 India0101
24 Venezuela0011
Totals (24 entries)223217211651

Sports

The following are the 31 sports which were contested at these Games.[70]

References

  1. ↑ בריקמן ינהל את קמפיין פרסום המכביה ה-18 (in Hebrew). One.co.il. June 8, 2009. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved June 9, 2009. הסלוגן המוביל של המכביה יהיה: "לגעת ברגעים הגדולים"
  2. ↑ "Maccabi USA – Welcome to Maccabi USA official website. We are Building Jewish Pride Through Sports".
  3. ↑ "The Last Word: The power of the Maccabiah". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on July 30, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Lezak lights torch at Maccabiah opening". July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2009.
  5. ↑ Mietkiewicz, Mark (June 19, 2017). "A brief history of the Maccabiah Games".
  6. ↑ Helen Jefferson Lenskyj (2012). Gender Politics and the Olympic Industry. Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN 9781137291158.
  7. ↑ Mitchell G. Bard and Moshe Schwartz, 1001 Facts Everyone Should Know about Israel p. 84.
  8. ↑ "History of the Maccabiah Games". Maccabi Australia. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2017.
  9. ↑ "At Maccabiah Games, 300 Jewish American athletes become bar and bat mitzvah". The Forward. July 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Goldman, Ilan (July 8, 2013). "Arab athletes at the Maccabiah: Going for gold, seeking recognition". Haaretz. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  11. ↑ Porat, Avinoam (June 11, 2005). "Arab Israeli wins Maccabiah gold". Ynet. Archived from the original on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 16, 2014.
  12. ↑ Jillian Schwartz wants to compete for Israel. All-Athletics (December 17, 2009). Retrieved on January 27, 2011.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "History: The 2000s". Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
  14. ↑ Oster, Marcy (June 5, 2012). "Max Fried, 18, drafted by Padres". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  15. ↑ Magallanes, Raul. "Venice High Alum Going to 2016 Rio Olympics". The Oarsman. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Maccabiah Games - Meet Results - Swimming World".
  17. ↑ "Games and Results; Maccabiah Swimming" (PDF). maccabiah.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  18. ↑ "Maccabiah Games: Guy Barnea Sets Israeli Record". July 21, 2009.
  19. ↑ "Lane 9 News Archive: Maccabiah Games: Andrea Murez Doubles; Jason Lezak Completes Ambassador Tour". Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  20. ↑ "USA Sectionals, Maccabiah Games, World Championships Results on The Morning Swim Show News Segment". Swimming World Magazine. July 20, 2009. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  21. ↑ Talshir, Uri (November 4, 2011). "Lezak, Barnea easily demolish swimming records". Haaretz. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  22. ↑ "Maccabiah Games Tel Aviv Event". JudoInside.
  23. ↑ "Golan Pollack, Judoka, JudoInside". Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Or Sasson, Judoka". JudoInside.
  25. ↑ "Maccabiah Games Tel Aviv, 2009; judo results, medals, matches, photos and videos". JudoInside. July 19, 2009. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Gregory Rudelson, Judoka". JudoInside.
  27. ↑ "Felipe Kitadai (Brazil) – Judo stats and info". JudoInside. July 28, 1989. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Judo Results 18th Games". Maccabiusa.com. July 19, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Aaron Cohen and Barry Friedberg Win Bronze at the Maccabiah Games". Teamusa.usoc.org. July 20, 2009. Archived from the original on December 2, 2013. Retrieved November 26, 2013.
  30. ↑ "SFCPressPoint: JUDO: Aaron Cohen to Carry U.S. Team Banner at the Maccabiah Games in Israel on Monday, Lindsey Durlacher Named Flagbearer". sportsfeatures.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  31. ↑ "18th Games: Judo Results - Maccabi USA". maccabiusa.com. Retrieved May 3, 2015.
  32. ↑ "ספורט – ענפים נוספים nrg – ...גולף: לטיסיה בק זכתה בטורניר" (in Hebrew). Nrg.co.il. July 22, 2009. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  33. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  34. ↑ "Games and Results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved 2015-03-31.
  35. ↑ "US men's hoops limps into medal round. Pearl's boys narrowly avoid another loss, to face Canada in semis". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  36. ↑ Israel Dominates 18th Maccabiah Games at International Gymnast Magazine Online
  37. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  38. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 31, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. ↑ University of San Francisco Dons Athletics – Maor Tiyouri – 2013 Women's Track and Field. Usfdons.com. Retrieved on 26 August 2016.
  40. ↑ 18th Games: Track & Field Results. maccabiusa.com
  41. ↑ "Tilastopaja".
  42. ↑ "Recent Ukrainian oleh wins Maccabiah gold". July 15, 2009.
  43. ↑ "GB through to Maccabiah football final".
  44. ↑ "סגלי נבחרות ישראל לטורניר הכדורגל של המכביה". Israel Football Association. July 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  45. ↑ "סגלי נבחרות ישראל לטורניר הכדורגל של המכביה". Israel Football Association. July 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  46. ↑ "סגלי נבחרות ישראל לטורניר הכדורגל של המכביה". Israel Football Association. July 9, 2009. Archived from the original on June 29, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Soccer". Maccabi USA. Retrieved April 3, 2009.
  48. ↑ "GOLD MEDALISTS U.S. Captures Maccabi Games crown". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Two Zachs, One Goal". The Jewish Exponent.
  50. 1 2 "2009 Team Canada Delegation"
  51. ↑ David Weiner (5 July 2013). "Maccabiah 2013: Steven Solomon". J-Wire. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  52. ↑ "Reference". thejc.com.
  53. ↑ "Successful Maccabiah outing for Indian cricketers". August 8, 2009.
  54. ↑ Dwivedi, Sandeep (July 28, 2009). "Indian cricketers strike silver at Jewish Olympics, little Moshe first to get a feel". The Indian Express. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
  55. ↑ "Maccabiah Cricket Squads Announced". TotallyJewish.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  56. ↑ Soffer, Ram (July 24, 2013). "2013 Maccabiah Games - The Jewish Olympics". Chess News. ChessBase. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  57. ↑ "JUDAISM AND CHESS".
  58. ↑ "Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi lead Maccabiah International Chess Festival 2009 | Chessdom Chess". Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved July 28, 2017.
  59. ↑ Doggers (PeterDoggers), Peter. "Najer wins Maccabiah rapid". Chess.com.
  60. ↑ "The Week in Chess 767". theweekinchess.com. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  61. ↑ "Evgeniy Najer and Ian Nepomniachtchi lead Maccabiah International Chess Festival 2009". Chessdom. July 13, 2009. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
  62. ↑ Michael Elkin "Shoah Salute: Personal Meaning for Comcast CEO" Archived April 19, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Jewish Exponent, May 4, 2011; accessed June 20, 2015.
  63. ↑ "USA Maccabiah Team Ready For Jewish Olympics". eRugbyNews. June 19, 2009. Archived from the original on September 18, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  64. ↑ "Maccabiah USA Team Wins Bronze". eRugbyNews. July 22, 2009. Archived from the original on April 12, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2009.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  65. ↑ "August 2, 2012 by Clermont Sun Publishing Company". The American Israelite.
  66. ↑ "Reference". thejc.com.
  67. ↑ "Jewish quartet clash on the beach in Argentina". The Canadian Jewish News.
  68. ↑ "Jewish Olympians Binstock and Schachter are ready for Rio". August 4, 2016.
  69. ↑ "Maccabiah Games-2009. Opening. (3) - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021.
  70. ↑ "Maccabiah Sports" Archived 2011-10-04 at the Wayback Machine The list of Maccabiah Sports is provided at www.maccabiah.com. The link for each sport provides further links the disciplines of the sport, if applicable.
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