Israel’s first Olympic competitor disqualified in judo event

Shira Rishony became the first Israeli to compete in the Games, though her appearance saw her leave the mat in tears.

Competing in the U48kg weight category, the 25-year-old, who finished last year’s world masters in fifth place, saw her Rio tournament last just over two minutes as was disqualified for illegal use of her elbow, which gifted the win to Ukrainian Maryna Cherniak.

Tearful after her loss, she said: “I’m still in shock, I felt I was ready and it hurts me that I couldn’t give my all and that it all ended before it really began. It’s hard to put in words how much you give and how much you sacrifice and how much you dream of this moment. You certainly don’t imagine it ending like this.”

FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF ALL THE ISRAELI AND JEWISH ATHLETES IN RIO HERE: