Israelis win gold, silver medals at European Thai boxing championship

Israel took gold and silver at the Thai boxing competition.

By Arye Green, TPS

Israeli athletes Itai Gayer and Kibedi Gordon on Sunday won Gold and Silver Medals at the European Thai Boxing Championship held in Minsk, Belarus.

Twenty-one year old Gayer beat several strong opponents to win the gold medal in the under-67 kilogram (147 pounds) weight category.

Gayer is a returning champion, after winning the gold medal in the European Championship in 2016 in the under-63.5 kilogram (140 pounds) weight category.

Nineteen year old Kibedi Gordon came in second in his under-60 kilogram (132 pounds) weight category, bringing home a silver medal.

A total of 349 athletes from 35 countries participated in the European Thai Boxing Championship. The competition is listed as an official qualification event for the esteemed 2021 World Games, and the medalists will receive points towards qualification rankings.

Thai boxing operates in Israel as part of “Ayelet,” the Federation of The Non-Olympic Sports in Israel, which assists Israeli athletes with scholarships, equipment, financing for competitions and more.