Israeli Athlete Wins Gold in European Kickboxing Championship

Israeli kickboxer Amir Assad won the gold medal in the European Kickboxing Championship, which is being held in Slovakia from October 13-21.

Israelis Yulia Sachkov and Lidor Kraut won bronze medals.

Assad, 22, a student of physical education at Wingate College, defeated the Italian competitor in the "lightweight" division (60 kg) finals with a full knockout.

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Sachkov, 20, from Haifa, competed in the "flyweight" division (51kg) and finished third. Lidor Kraut, 21, also finished third in the "lightweight" division.

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"The other delegations were strong and very determined. All of them worked hard preparing for the competition, but in a sport like this, there's only one champion," said the head of the delegation David Rimon, who was also a judge in the championship.

"Amir, Yulia and Lidor all fought strong matches. I'm proud of them and congratulate them on their victories," he said.

Arik Kaplan, president of Ayelet - The Federation of Non-Olympic Sport in Israel, which helps non-Olympic sports institutions, including kickboxing, said: "I congratulate the athletes on a wonderful performance. Their medals add to the impressive gold medal wins of Daniela Fashiv and Shir Cohen at the Kickboxing World Youth Championship a few weeks ago. I'm proud that in the non-Olympic sectors Israeli athletes are among the best in the world."