Inbar Lanir Dedicates Judo Victory to Itzik Elgarat, Abducted by Hamas

Israeli judoka Inbar Lanir dedicated her bronze medal win in Uzbekistan to Itzik Elgarat, who was murdered during Hamas captivity. Elgarat was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz in October 2023 and his body was returned to Israel in February 2024. The Israeli women’s judo team performed well overall, earning three medals during the competition.

Inbar Lanir, an Israeli judoka, dedicated her bronze medal victory at the 2025 Tashkent Grand Slam in Uzbekistan to Itzik Elgarat, a victim of Hamas captivity. After winning her match in the -78 kg category against Brazil’s Karol Gimenes, Lanir stated, “I fought today to fly the flag in his memory.” This win comes after her previous success, securing a silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year.

Itzik Elgarat, a dual Danish-Israeli citizen aged 68, was abducted by Hamas from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023. Terrorists shot him while capturing him, and he became one of the 251 hostages taken that day. In addition to the hostages, Hamas’s attack resulted in 1,200 fatalities across southern Israel.

On February 27, Hamas returned Elgarat’s body along with three others in exchange for 602 Palestinian prisoners, part of a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement with Israel. Forensic investigations confirmed Elgarat was murdered while held captive, leading to his burial in Israel the following Monday. He leaves behind two children residing in Denmark, along with a brother and two sisters.

At the same Tashkent Grand Slam, fellow Israeli judoka Raz Hershko placed fifth in the +78 kg category. Overall, Israel’s women’s judo team secured three medals in the event, including a silver for Inbal Shemesh and bronzes for Timna Nelson Levy and Lanir.

Inbar Lanir’s bronze medal at the Tashkent Grand Slam serves as a poignant tribute to Itzik Elgarat, a victim of Hamas. Elgarat’s tragic abduction and murder underscore the brutality faced by many during the conflict. Israel’s women judoka demonstrated commendable performance, achieving three medals in the competition, signifying their resilience and dedication on the global stage.

Original Source: www.algemeiner.com