BySimon Griver, Simon Griver
Arik Zeevi won gold in the 100kg category at the European Judo Championships in Chelyabinsk, Russia.
Zeevi, 35, claimed his fourth victory in the competition and although he had not been considered an Olympic medal contender for London, this performance moves him up to seventh in the world rankings. The Israeli won bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
He said: “This medal doesn’t give me any advantage ahead of the Olympics, but it does give me some confidence and I hope that I continue to succeed in London.”
Alice Schlesinger staked her claim for Olympic glory by taking bronze in the 63kg competition in Russia. She moves up to sixth in the world rankings.
Yarden Gerbi lies two places behind her after finishing in eighth place but she will miss out on London because each country only fields one competitor per category.
Israel’s unprecedented medal haul was completed with bronze for Soso Palelashvili in the 73kg competition, but it remains to be seen whether the new immigrant from Georgia will be cleared to represent Israel in London.