An Israeli go-karting prodigy has dedicated a win to his sister held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli kart driver Guy Albag, 15, clinched first place at the CEE Championship in Slovakia on May 5 but said his victory was bittersweet, as his older sister Liri, 19, remains in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Marking 214 days since Liri’s abduction on October 7. the Junior kart racer held a photograph of his sister instead of raising his trophy on the podium after his win.
The symbolic gesture was mirrored by fellow Israeli driver Yam Pinto who secured third place in the same race.
Since October 7, Albag’s Instagram account has become a testament to his sister and the teen shared a heartfelt post after his victory.
He posted: “My sister I miss you so much just waiting for that day when you come to us with your smile and laughs miss your voice. They told me you said you didn't want me to stop racing I hope you come back as soon as possible and see me win.”
The young champion’s triumph over 50 competitors was overshadowed by the ongoing concern for Liri.
Eli Albag, the father of the siblings expressed his worry about his daughter to the BBC in January, saying, “I wake up in the morning alive and go to sleep dead. Each day.”
Earlier this year, Eli, 54, was among four relatives of hostages who travelled to London, in hope of influencing the UK government to put pressure on Qatar – a key player in negotiations for the release of hostage and host to several senior Hamas officials.
Hours after Liri’s capture the Albag’s family was brought into stark relief after a Telegram video released by Hamas hours after the kidnapping showed Liri alive but petrified.
The images shared showed the young girl sitting against a concrete wall with her hands bound behind her and her expressions showing shock and fear.
In January Eli stood outside the Houses of Parliament and held a photo of his daughter before October 7 and then in the clip shared by Hamas, he continued: “I want to show to the world. This is the same girl, it is not different girls.
“This is Liri free, a girl of peace and love. And this is Liri in the hands of the Hamas. You see the difference. You can see in the eyes and the face.
"She see the dead, she saw people with guns on her head and she saw murdered girls in front of her for two hours."
Liri is Mr Albag’s second youngest out of three daughters and one said and added she is the "happiest, who liked music, who liked to dance" and who had "friends all over the world".
An Instagram account has been made to raise awareness of Liri’s captivity - @bring_liri_back which has amassed over 8,000 followers.
