By, Danny Caro
1 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Marc Hinawi claimed Israel's eighth medal of what is proving to be a hugely success European Games for the nation after impressing in the pool in Baku.
Hinawi registered a new personal best time of 15:25 in the final of the 1,500m after finishing third.
Reflecting on his time, which was also a junior national record, Hinawi admitted he had mixed emotions about the race.
“This feels amazing but I expected to register a better result," he said.
"I’m really happy, but I believe I can swim faster. I’m improving with every year and my goal is to reach Rio 2016, not just Tokyo 2020.”
Israel's 142-athlete delegation have enjoyed success in a number of sports in the inaugural Games. Gymnastics has been the strongest discipline thus far, with Yuval Filo, Alona Koshevatskiy, Ekaterina Levina, Karina Lykhvar and Ida Mayrin guiding the delegation to three podium finishes in rhythmic gymnasts. They took silver in the all-around and clubs and hoops competitions, as well as bronze in the ribbon. Olympian Neta Rivkin won bronze in the individual hoop.
Israel have also won medals in the wrestling and shooting competitions.