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American Amit Elor, born to Israeli parents, wins wrestling gold

The Jewish athlete became the youngest American to win a gold medal in wrestling

August 7, 2024 08:48
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Amit Elor of Team United States celebrates with the United States flag following victory against Meerim Zhumanazarova of Team Kyrgyzstan (not pictured) (Photo: Getty Images)
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Team USA wrestler Amit Elor, born to Israeli immigrant parents and who is Jewish, became the youngest American to win a gold medal in wrestling at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday.

The 20-year-old defeated Kyrgyzstan’s Meerim Zhumanazarova 3-0 in Women’s freestyle wrestling 68 kg (150-pound) at the Grand Palais Éphémère to extend her five-year winning streak. Since 2019, she has compiled a 37-0 record, outscoring her opponents 322-16.

A native of Walnut Creek, California, Elor was born to Israeli parents Elana and Yair Elor, who came to the United States from the southern coastal city of Ashkelon. She is the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors who moved to the Jewish state.

She has faced online antisemitism, including death threats, since the October 7 Hamas massacre in southern Israel. Elor has also dealt with personal tragedy, losing her brother in 2018 and father in 2022.