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Last update - 16:34 12/07/2009
18th Maccabiah
10 to watch
Tags: Israel News, Maccabiah

1. Jason Lezak, 33

Nationality: American. Born and raised in Irvine, California.

Sport: Swimming. Competes in 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events; some relays.
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Profession: Full-time athlete. "But I also often do motivational speaking and appear in swimming clinics."

How he started: He joined a swim team when he was 5. "In my very first race, one lap took me two minutes and I ended up swimming in the wrong direction. But I picked it up pretty fast and became pretty successful."

Training: Swims for 90 minutes five times a week, lifts weights twice a week and stretches for an hour a day.

Best achievement: Seven Olympic medals. He's most proud of winning the 4x100-meter freestyle relay and the 100-meter freestyle, his first individual medal, in 2008.

Sporting hero: Earvin "Magic" Johnson and swimmer Matt Biondi.

Maccabiah: Jason passed up this year's World Swimming Championships to participate in his first Maccabiah. "I've been to the world championships so many times, so I felt this is an opportunity for me to do something different. The Maccabiah is more than a competition, it's a whole experience."

What did advisors and fans say? "I'm sure some people were disappointed, but it's a cultural and a religious experience that they can't frown upon."

Connection to Israel: Never been here before, but thinks "there are so many things I can learn there."

Goal for the games: "I want to race well and to enjoy the competition, and hopefully bringing back as many gold medals as I can." But he doesn't underestimate the competition: "I can't go there thinking it's going to be a piece of cake."

Most looking forward to: "Until now, I've been to three Olympics but I've never been to an opening ceremony. This time I will actually experience it: marching out there with the flag, together as a country."

2. Elie, 29, Daniel, 26, and Joshua, 19, Shermer

Nationality: Canadian. The three brothers were born and raised in Toronto.
Sport: Volleyball. Men's Open.

Profession: They all work at North America's largest indoor/outdoor beach volleyball facility, which their father owns. Elie also runs his own nightclub promotion company and Daniel heads a beach volleyball program for youth.

How they started: Their father, who competed in two Maccabiahs, started a volleyball program for Elie's class when he was in middle school. His brothers started playing soon after. "We are a volleyball family," says Joshua. "My mom and my dad met through volleyball, and to this day we live off the sport."

Training: Usually once or twice a week.

Best achievement: All three of them won local and provincial championships and came in second or third in national competitions. But for Elie, it's "representing my country for the third time now at the Maccabiah."

Sporting hero: Elie admires Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Joshua looks up to his father and Hernan Humana ("the most recognized volleyball coach in Canada"). Joshua's hero is Mark Heese, "Canada's best-ever volleyball player."

Maccabiah: This is Elie's and Daniel's third Maccabiah and Joshua's first. Elie: "It could be the first time in history that three brothers are competing on the same team."

Connection to Israel: Elie and Daniel have been to Israel only for the Maccabiah; this is Joshua's first trip. He wants to participate in Birthright Israel next year.

Goal for the games: Elie and Daniel think this year's team is the strongest ever and has a shot at a medal. Joshua is skeptical: "We had a few setbacks because some of our top players couldn't come."

Most looking forward to: "My main motivation for getting in shape is that I'm going with my two brothers," Elie says. "It's a huge accomplishment and a reason for family pride."


3. David Pinnick, 53

Nationality: British, a Londoner, married to Alex and father of physiotherapist Abigail Pinnick, 23. He and his daughter ran the London Marathon for Maccabi Great Britain. After they crossed the finish line, she called it "a nice moment, mainly because it was all over."

Sport: Many. Heads the Great Britain Maccabiah Organizing Committee and the delegation.

Profession: Real estate agent.

How he started: "I used to play soccer in the Maccabi Leagues in Great Britain but retired eight years ago. I concentrated on training for the London Marathon and now run all the time."

Training: Five times a week, about 35-40 miles (55-65 kilometers) per week.

Best achievement: Finishing the London Marathon in 3 hours, 56 minutes at age 50.

Sporting hero: English soccer player Jimmy Greaves, who was born in 1940 and became one of the top scorers of his generation.

Maccabiah: "At my first Maccabiah I co-chaired the football [soccer] team in 2005 and took eight teams [soccer and futsal - five-per-team soccer] to Israel. We won four medals, [which] turned out to be the highest return for Great Britain in those sports."

Connection to Israel: "I have nieces and nephews living in Be'er Sheva and Beit Shemesh, and we have recently bought a flat in Ir Yamin, near Netanya."

Goal for the games: "My goal before the Games was to assemble a large delegation. We are now bringing our largest ever delegation with 512 participants, many of whom are first-time visitors, including nearly 200 juniors. Now I want everyone to have a fantastic sporting and cultural experience and to leave everyone with lasting and positive memories of Israel. My wife, Alex is also involved as our junior team manager, and two of our children will be there also."

Most looking forward to: "The opening ceremony, when I will be leading out the GB delegation alongside Sir Bobby Charlton, and watching two of my daughters play netball in the Games. It would be a nice reward if we take home a good share of medals."


4. Samantha Krystantos, 14

Nationality: Canadian. Born and raised in Toronto.

Sport: Karate. Competes in two disciplines: Kada, which focuses on form, and Kumite, which is "more like fighting."

Profession: Just finished eighth grade; rising freshman at Westmount High School.

How she started: Samantha began learning Karate in the basement of a gym at age 4. Five years later, she received her first-degree black belt. When we she was 11, she received her second-degree. She is testing for her third-degree in a few months.

Training: "I teach twice a week and train almost every day. I also dance at least twice a week."

Best achievement: "I started my first few competitions a few months ago. At my second tournament, I came in third in Ontario."

Sporting hero: Her karate teachers and her parents. Her father also does karate, but is only a blue belt. She could easily beat him, she says. "We've fought before, during a little sparring match."

Maccabiah: This is her first Maccabiah.

Connection to Israel: She doesn't have any family here. "I know my grandmother was born in Israel, but she hasn't been back in a while."

Goal for the games: "I just want to try my best throughout the entire trip. I want to put in as much effort as I can. And I want to learn more about my culture and my religion. And hopefully I'll come home with a medal."

Most looking forward to: Making new friends her age. "I'm 14 so I'm among the youngest on the team. I want to meet new people and experience new things," such as floating in the Dead Sea, climbing Masada and seeing the Western Wall.

5. Gili Cohen, 18

Nationality: Israeli. Lives in Ra'anana with her parents and younger brother. Her father immigrated to Israel from Johannesburg, South Africa. Speaks English with a South African accent.


Sport: Judo. Cadets competition for under-19s.

Profession: 12th-grader at Metro West High School in Ra'anana.

How she started: "My dad always loved Judo so when I was 4 years old he took me to Judo class and I guess I liked it."

Training: With the national Judo team for youths, at the Herzliya Judo club and at the gym.

Best achievement: Champion of Israel's youth women's team. Internationally, competing at the European youth championship.

Sporting hero: Swedish long-jumper and heptathlon and pentathlon athlete Carolina Kluft, who has been undefeated in 22 heptathlon and pentathlon competitions since March 2002, winning nine consecutive gold medals. "I admire her because she always comes in first. One competition after the other, she's there to win it."

Maccabiah: Her first time, but Gili's grandfather Des Cohen participated in the Maccabiah twice: Once as a cricket player for the South African team, and later as a golfer. In 1995, he became the professional manager of the Caesarea Golf Club.

Connection to Israel: Her family has lived in Ra'anana since she was 4. She has relatives in other cities, mainly Jerusalem.

Goal for the games: First place. Asked to name another goal, Cohen says she hopes "to fully experience the international opening event."

Most looking forward to: The medal podium. "But beyond that, there's something special about being together with all the people who are coming. I understand there will be some Jewish content over the weekend at the Friday dinner. Athletes need to watch what they eat, especially in tournaments, so I don't know about the dinner part, but I would not mind participating in activities as long as they don't clash with training."


6. Jeff Schulman, 42

Nationality: American. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York. Played ice hockey at the University of Vermont and was drafted by the Boston Bruins. "But I ultimately decided to pursue a career in athletic administration instead."

Sport: Hockey team manager.

Profession: Senior associate athletics director at his alma mater.

How he started: Fell in love with hockey at age 4. "Where I grew up we have cold winters, so you find things to do that fit the climate."

Training: He still plays for fun sometimes. "Part of my job is keeping the keys to the ice rink, so I can skate whenever I want."

Best achievement: Being drafted was certainly "a highlight," but the countless friendships he made over the years are more vaulable to him.

Sporting hero: Jeff has great respect for the Israeli athletes killed in Munich. "I was 5 when it happened but I have very distinct memories of my parents waking me up and showing me on television what was happening. I could barely make sense of it, but I could tell just how dramatic that event was. It has since become something I think about a fair amount, particularly when I'm involved in something like the Maccabiah."

Maccabiah: This is Jeff's third Maccabiah. In 1997, he won the silver metal in ice hockey, and in 2001 he managed the U.S. team. He missed the 2005 event because his wife had a baby the same week.

Connection to Israel: Jeff got engaged during the 1997 Maccabiah. The couple decided to take sabbaticals and spend a year in Israel.

Goal for the games: "We want our athletes to compete at the highest level they're capable of. Through that, the medals will certainly come."

Most looking forward to: "The most meaningful things are those you don't anticipate."


7. Greg, 48, and Rachel, 14, Scherman

Nationality: American. Both father and daughter were born and live in California.

Sport: Squash.

Profession: He's an energy industry consultant. Rachel just finished middle school.

How they started: Greg spent a year in England at age 21, when he was a cyclist. "But it was just too cold in England, so I hung up my bike and played a little squash." Back home, he started playing tournaments and ranked in the national top 10. Now he owns a squash club with more than 100 members.

Rachel started three years ago: "I just came to the squash club one day and picked up a racket, a ball and started hitting."

Training: The two are training five days a week to prepare for the Maccabiah. Rachel is also doing weight training "to get me stronger so I can hit the ball harder."

Best achievement: Greg has won "numerous tournaments." Rachel won the local under-15 girls championship.

Sporting hero: "I'm most impressed with [British squash legend] Peter Nicol," says Greg. His daughter looks up to her coach and former squash world champion Chris Walker.

Maccabiah: This is their first Maccabiah. "I hate to say it, but this is our first trip to Israel. We are so excited to finally be coming home," says Greg.

Connection to Israel: "Being Jewish, there is always a connection," says Greg. "I'm only recently reconnecting to my religious heritage. Growing up, there was no religious education in my life. Through my kids I'm reliving the whole process now."

Goal for the games: Greg is going for gold. "I actually believe I have a real chance. That's what several coaches told me," he says. Rachel says she'll he happy with "whatever I get."

Most looking forward to: "Seeing the country, in particular Jerusalem," says Greg. Rachel is curious about the Dead Sea.

8. David Lazarus, 16

Nationality: Australian from Perth. Born in South Africa but immigrated with his family seven years ago. Speaks English with a distinctly Australian accent.

Sport: Track and field, 3,000-meter run.

Profession: A high-school senior, actor and musician fond of pop music covers, the '60s and the '70s. He sings and plays guitar at bars and restaurants in downtown Perth. Has performed a dozen productions, including "Oliver" (he played the Artful Dodger) and "Annie" at Perth's Regal Theatre. Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Kenya at age 11 while on a family trip.

How he started: "My dad is a half-marathon runner and I would go to his races and hand out flyers, so I got involved with the world of competitive running from a young age."

Training: Two to three times a week on the track, plus long runs and tri-weekly swims of 30 to 90 minutes to improve cardiovascular strength.

Best achievement: Won the Western Australia 3,000-meter cross country championship for athletes under 18. "I've been WA champion for cross country for the last five." Previously won the under-18 1,500-meter state races.

Sporting hero: Many athletes, including his dad.

Maccabiah: His first, but visited Israel before, when he was 9.

Connection to Israel: No family here.

Goal for the games: To come home with a medal. "I'm going to try my best and run for gold, but I will be extremely happy with any medal."

Most looking forward to: Seeing Jewish athletes with similar interests from all over the world. "I will be running for about 10 minutes, but will stay in Israel for three weeks with my family, so obviously the competition is very important, but maybe it's not the most important thing about this trip."

9. Jo Ankier, 26

Nationality: British, born to Stephen and Loretta. She has a sister, Esther, and attended the Henrietta Barnett School, Nottingham University and King's College London, where she received a postgraduate degree in sports law. Grew up as a member of Mill Hill United Synagogue in London.

Sport: Track and field. Half marathon, possibly the 5,000-meter run as well.

Profession: Former professional athlete and television presenter, currently in sports marketing.

How she started: Focused on athletics full-time after graduating. Moved to a training camp in Richmond, southwest London.

Training: Goes on long runs and also works out on the track. "I vary it a bit, but I go on two long runs a week in Regent's or Hyde Park."

Best sporting achievement: Breaking the British record at the 2005 European Cup; competing in front of 85,000 people at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne; winning two Junior London Marathons; passing the baton to Paula Radcliffe in the 2006 Ekiden Relay. Finished third in the U.K. 3,000-meter steeplechase trials for the Beijing Olympics but was not selected.

Sporting hero: British long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe, a Davenham native, "ecause of her stamina, which allowed her to compete and win against anyone in her field."

Maccabiah: Competed at the 2007 Maccabiah, and in the tragic 1997 Games. "It was a long time ago so I don't remember much of the bridge disaster. Our team hadn't gone over yet when it collapsed. It was a distressing time."

Connection to Israel: Distant relatives in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Goal for the games: "It's my first time running the half marathon and I'm not training professionally anymore. So I really would like to get a medal, but we'll have to see how it goes."

Most looking forward to: Helping to train the junior team, marching as the official flag bearer for the U.K. team at the opening ceremony (along with David Kyte and Michael Bibring.) "I know some people from the previous Maccabiahs and it would be really great to see some of them."


10. Doron Beuns, 14

Nationality: Dutch, but speaks fluent Hebrew. His mother is an Israeli from Be'er Sheva who speaks to him only in Hebrew. She moved to Holland in her twenties and settled in Tiel with Doron's father, who is Dutch.

Sport: Gymnastics.

Profession: Middle school student.

How he started: Began training at age 8, but started doing headstands as early as age 3. "I began to train after seeing a gymnastics competition on television. I wanted to do what the people on the screen were doing."

Training: Five times a week, 3.5 hours each time. "Sometimes I train only four times a week, but before sporting events I usually go up to five."

Best achievement: Winning a gold medal in the 2007 Dutch national youth gymnastics championship. "Before that I was the regional champion four times, and third place in the national tournament." Has won five championship medals, including two golds.

Sporting hero: Has many, but primarily Israeli artistic gymnast Alexander Shatilov. "He's a powerful athlete, and he was born in Uzbekistan and immigrated to Israel seven years ago."

Maccabiah: His first. "But I trained in Israel two years ago when I was visiting family. I played basketball at a training program in Hadar Yosef."

Connection to Israel: Lots of family, particularly in Be'er Sheva. "I will see them after the Maccabiah. I'm staying in Israel for my summer vacation with my parents, who arrive in Israel on July 10."

Goal for the games: "Just to do my best, because I don't know the other athletes, and I don't know the abilities of the people I'm up against. So maybe one goal is to find out about that."

Most looking forward to: The opening ceremony. "Of course I want to compete, but somehow that doesn't seem like the most important thing to me. I've never been in such a big event with only Jewish athletes."
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