1. Yael Arad was the first Israeli to win an Olympic medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona in 1992.
27 Facts About Yael Arad
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Yael Arad is widely recognized as one of Israel's most successful athletes and is credited with bringing judo into the athletic mainstream.
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Yael Arad specializes in entrepreneurship, business development and marketing strategy.
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Yael Arad manages the commercial rights of ViacomCBS in Israel.
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Yael Arad advises companies in various sectors and lectures on excellence in sports, life and business.
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In 2023, Yael Arad became a member of the International Olympic Committee.
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Yael Arad holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Reichman University.
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Yael Arad started taking judo classes at the age of eight and within half a year, ranked second in Israel in her weight class.
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Yael Arad later trained with the coach of the men's judo team.
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Yael Arad won her first international title in 1984 at the age of 17, competing as a middleweight.
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Yael Arad came in 7th in the 1984 World Championships in Vienna.
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Yael Arad won bronze medals in the European Championships of 1989 and 1991.
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Yael Arad was the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic medal when she represented Israel at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
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Yael Arad won the silver medal in the women's half middleweight competition.
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Yael Arad dedicated the medal to the victims of the 1972 Munich Massacre.
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In May 1993, Yael Arad won a gold medal in the 1993 European Championships.
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Yael Arad was chosen to light the torch at the 1993 Maccabiah Games.
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Yael Arad finished in fifth place at the 1995 World Championships.
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At the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Yael Arad lost to Jung Sung-sook of Korea, competing for the bronze.
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Yael Arad went into the fight sick with a virus and ended up in fifth place.
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Yael Arad served as judo coach for Israel in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and coached Israeli judoka Olympian Orit Bar-On.
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Yael Arad became a member of the International Olympic Committee in 2023.
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Yael Arad was married to Lior Kahane and she has two children.
24.
Yael Arad's autobiography called First was released in 2018.
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Yael Arad has won 24 medals during her sporting career in Level A tournaments, including 7 gold medals, 8 silver medals and 9 bronze medals.
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In 2004, Yael Arad was chosen to be one of the torchbearers at the Torch-lighting Ceremony on Mount Herzl.
27.
In 2018, Yael Arad was awarded the title to "The Athlete of 70'" from the Ministry of Culture and Sport, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel.