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Let the Games begin... By Rami Hipsh BEIJING - The members of Israel's Olympics contingent yesterday drew tough rivals in the Games, especially in tennis, fencing and judo. Judoka Gal Yekutial will face Mongolia's Khashbaatar Tsagaanbaatar, who won a bronze medal at Athens and recently came fifth in the world championship. Advertisement Fellow judoka Arik Zeevi was not much luckier: The Israeli Olympic medalist will take on veteran French judoka Frederic Demontfaucon, an opponent that Zeevi is favored to beat; however, if he advances to the next stage he may face European champion Henk Grol. In the female competition, Israeli judoka Alice Schlezinger also got a tough draw. Though she automatically qualified for the second round, she is expected to meet either a former bronze medalist from Slovenia or the current twice in a row European champion. In tennis, Israel's delegation will have to work hard to get ahead. Israeli top racket Shahar Peer will open against Sorana Cristia, an 18-year-old talent ranked 57 in the world. If Peer, who has been in a slump in the past year, does qualify for the next round, she is expected to encounter less threatening opponents. Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich, who became favorites to win a medal when they won the Australian Open's doubles tournament, will play against Frenchmen Arnaud Clement and Michael Llorda, the very same team they beat in the final of the Australian Open. If they advance to the next stage, they will meet Scottish brothers Andy and Jamey Murray. In the women's doubles, Peer and teammate Tzipi Obziler will play against the Argentinian duo Gisela Dulko and Betina Jozami. Israeli fencers will also have to make a special effort to get past their first-round competitors. Dalila Hatuel will duel an Italian opponent who, the Israeli said, was known for her defensive style. But Hatuel was more wary of her second-round opponent, if she advances to that stage, who is expected to be the 2006 world champion. Israel's Tomer Or is expected to beat Joshua MacGyver, unless the Canadian fencer has a trick up his sleeve but in the second round Italian Salvatore Sanzo, the 2005 world champion, will await him. Meanwhile, Noam Mills will duel Laura Flessel. During her training, Mills practiced specifically against the style used by the veteran French fencer. Also yesterday, a day after his father's sudden death in a fall at their Netanya home, Israeli Olympic swimmer Alon Mendel decided to push on and participate in the Beijing games this week. Mendel made the decision after consulting with family and friends, who assured him that it is what his father Costia would have wanted. Mendel will be competing in the 200-meter butterfly race, and will return to his family home afterward to take part in the seven-day mourning period of shiva. The Olympic delegation arranged a special entry pass to the Olympic village for Mendel's sister, Maya, who arrived in Beijing yesterday morning to support her brother. Mendel's mother, Rina, will stay in Israel and watch the Games from home. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Going for the gold Israel's athletes made a forceful debut on the opening day of the Olympic Games. Cooking vs. driving As Ramadan nears, Hamas bans the use of cooking gas to fuel vehicles in the Gaza Strip.

Read & React Israel slams Turkey over Ahmadinejad plan to visit Responses: 116 Israel: We'll hold Lebanon responsible for Hezbollah's actions Responses: 272 PRC: Open crossings within 3 weeks or we'll end Gaza truce Responses: 73 Ze'ev Sternhall: Burying the Jewish state between Hebron and Yitzhar Responses: 85 Ultra-Orthodox 'Modesty Guard' suspected in beating of J'lem woman Responses: 106 More Headlines 01:23 Officials: Olmert failed to dispel graft suspicions in 5th round of questioning 02:07 Putin defends Russia's Ossetia incursion, slams Georgia over 'genocide' 23:27 Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish dies after heart surgery 00:09 Putin to Peres: Russia doesn't want a nuclear armed Iran 00:15 Beijing Olympics / Israel shows its mettle even without a medal 20:33 Gaza militants fire Qassam rocket into western Negev 15:21 U.S. Jewish congressman beats opponent who linked him to KKK 20:51 Diplomats: Syria blocks new visit by nuclear watchdog 20:35 INTERVIEW / Top U.S. general lays foundation for Palestinian state 07:46 EU tightens sanctions against Iran over nuke program 03:28 Anti-Semitic graffiti prompts Sarkozy's son to take legal action 17:29 As Ramadan nears, Hamas bans use of cooking gas to fuel cars in Gaza 22:38 VIDEO / Ultra-Orthodox 'Modesty Guard' suspected of beating Jerusalem woman Previous Editions Select Day 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug 04 aug 03 aug 01 aug 31 jul 30 jul 29 jul 28 jul 27 jul

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