Judo

Judo 2007/5767
In honor of the Israeli Delegation to the 2008 Beijing Olympics
Israel among the Nations Series
Issued by the Bank of Israel

Judo is a promising Olympic sport for Israel. Israeli athletes have participated successfully in international Judo competitions, championships and the Olympic Games, in all age and weight groups. Before the Olympic Games in 2008 in Beijing, out of the six Olympic medals won by Israel, three had been in Judo. Yael Arad had made history when she became the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal - a Silver Medal in Judo, at the 1992 Games in Barcelona. Her achievement added Israel to the prestigious list of countries whose athletes had won Olympic medals. She was followed by Oren Smadja, who won a Bronze Medal in Judo at the same games and Arik Ze'evi, who won a Bronze Medal in Judo at the 2004 Games in Athens.

In other Olympic sports, Michael Kolganov won a Bronze medal in Kayaking (Sidney 2000) and Gal Friedman, after winning the Bronze in Windsurfing (Atlanta 1996), won the Gold Medal in Windsurfing at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Israel's first Olympic Gold Medal!

In preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Israel Olympic Committee chose "Hope is Worth Gold" as its motto. Shahar Zuberi won the Bronze Medal for Israel in Windsurfing. The coin was issued by the Bank of Israel in conjunction with the Israel Olympic Committee, in salute to the Israeli athletes. A portion of the proceeds were given to the Olympic Committee to assist in the financing of the Israeli Olympic Delegation.

Obverse: Face value in Hebrew and English, Israel State Emblem, "Israel" in English, Hebrew and Arabic, mint year, a decorative element representing the Judo belt, which signifies the various levels of competency and achievement in Judo.

Reverse: Two athletes displaying a typical judo hold and throwing technique, "JUDO" in English, Hebrew and Arabic and border inscription "THE OLYMPIC DELEGATION OF ISRAEL 2008" in Hebrew and English.

Edge: Silver Prooflike Coin: Smooth, Silver Proof and Gold Coin: Milled

Mint Marks: Silver Prooflike Coin – Star of David, Silver Proof and Gold Coin – Hebrew letter "Mem"

Designer: Ruben Nutels

Plaster Models: Tidhar Dagan

Mint: Dutch Mint