Tzuberi Wins Bronze Medal in Beijing

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Tzuberi Wins Bronze Medal in Beijing

Posted: Wed 20th August 2008 9.02 AM | Author: Sam Hailes

Shahar Tzuberi, the 22-year-old soldier from Eilat, won a bronze medal in in the Men’s Neil Pryde RS:X in Beijing today.

New Zealander Tom Ashley took the gold, and Frenchman Julien Bontemps won the silver medal.

Tzuberi began the race in 4th place overall. To win a medal, he had to finish the last race at least four places ahead of the three competitors in front of him. He finished second in this morning's race, overcoming a false start; he returned to the starting line when he thought - mistakenly - that his start had been disqualified. He managed to make up for this delay, passing the first float in third place, and ultimately reaching second place to win the bronze overall.

"It was very difficult work. I'm very happy with the accomplishment," Tzuberi said after winning the medal. "There was a lot of support from Israel."

As Tzuberi was being interviewed, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert called to congratulate Tzuberi telling him: "You've made us so happy. I've been following you all of these ten days. I was constantly impressed by your cool demeanor, your level headedness, and your self confidence - your feeling that you conveyed to us that you will end up brining a medal."

"You have no idea how exciting it is," Olmert continued. "I'm looking at you now through the TV and see you holding the [Israeli] flag. There are lots of tears of joy now in the eyes of Israelis. Your future is ahead of you."

Tzuberi simply answered: "Thank you. Thank you very much."

Tzuberi's medal is the seventh in Israeli Olympic history - one gold, one silver, and five bronze - and the only one Israel is expected to win this year.