Raz Hershko, the frontrunner of Israel’s judo team for an Olympic medal in Paris, is a tattoo enthusiast. Her body is adorned with many. One of the most significant tattoos for her is the one on her calf, depicting an elephant.
"The elephant is my spirit animal," Hershko explains. "She is the queen of the herd, leading them and taking responsibility for all members. She appears strong and large, but she is very gentle, knows how to fight for what she wants, and protects those she loves. She embodies everything," she says.
"I also have a manta ray, which I love, a Japanese wave, the Olympic rings against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, the Little Prince with the rose and the fox, and another cute phrase on my back."
It’s no wonder Hershko chose the elephant as her inspiration, an animal that exudes power and stability. The judoka, who celebrated her 26th birthday last month, is one of the most consistent athletes in the Israeli delegation to the Olympic Games, which will begin in less than three weeks.
She is the reigning European champion (78+ kg category), a bronze medalist at the World Championships (2023), and has nearly always reached the podium in recent Grand Slam tournaments, including two gold medals in the 2023 tournaments in Tel Aviv and Tbilisi. Just a year ago, Hershko was ranked first in the world in her weight category. As we said, power and stability.
Heart on the Mat
Currently ranked second in the world behind Frenchwoman Romane Dicko, Hershko is in top form heading to her second Olympics. If for Tokyo she met the criteria at the last moment and was eliminated in the 16th round by the eventual Olympic champion, Japanese Sone, this time she arrives in a completely different status. The women's team coach, Shany Hershko, who is also her uncle, has significantly enhanced her abilities and turned her into a name in the world of judo. Raz is aware of the expectations from her:
"For the Paris Games, I am arriving in a different status. If for Tokyo I barely made it, this time I qualified properly through the criteria. The expectations, for me, are completely different. The most important thing for me is to put my heart on the mat; that means I succeeded."
Is standing on the podium at the Olympics a sort of closure for you after what you've been through?
"I want to prove to myself that I am worthy and the best at what I do. I want to wake up every morning better than the day before. My dream is to become an Olympic champion, but when I put my whole heart on the mat, give my all, and tell my coach I gave everything, then for me, that's enough."
Nevertheless, many doubted you.
"There were many difficulties along the way, but from every hardship, I managed to rise, stay true to myself, believe in myself and my path, and not try to please anyone. It gives me a drive in the back of my mind, to say let them say what they want, those who support me can join me on this journey, and those who don’t, it’s their loss, they are the ones missing out."
How do you handle the pressure, knowing the whole country is on your shoulders?
"Due to my achievements, I am in a different place than I was in Tokyo. I feel the push from the audience and the people. For me, it’s not pressure, it’s really support. They push me to work and succeed. The expectations are the most important, and the most important pressure is the pressure I put on myself. I learned that over the years. I know how to put everything aside, to isolate all the background noise. I am going to win a medal for myself and for the country, and that’s why I am the happiest to stand and represent Israel in the best possible way."
Who are your main rivals on the way to a medal?
"There’s a heavy and diverse weight category with quality rivals like Dicko, Souza, Sone, and also rivals from Korea and Turkey. I am at this level to fight for the podium. Obviously, my goal is to be an Olympic champion, but for me, I will know I did the job if I leave everything on the mat."
You worked very hard over the last three years. You are ranked among the top two in the world in your weight category, and in the end, you might face Sone, the Olympic champion, early on, who will come unranked because she hasn’t competed much.
"I am ready for anyone. It's clear to me that to be the best, you have to beat everyone. I train and work hard for every scenario. We did excellent preparation; we recently returned from a month in Japan, we were at a training camp in Madrid, and for the last three weeks, we are staying for more specific preparation in the country. We will work hard to handle everything."
Do you think your rivals talk about you as one of the toughest challenges they face to reach the podium?
"I hope they talk about me, it’s a sign that I am something good. I competed in the Grand Slam in Paris, there were thousands of spectators, and I faced a French rival. There were shouts and noise, but it gives me a drive that everyone is cheering for the Frenchwoman. It’s like the current trend in the world where everyone doesn’t like us, and that only motivates me even more."
So you know you will experience such difficulties on competition day.
"I have been in every possible situation, I was at the World Championship in Doha just before October 7, and there were boos and shouts of 'Free Palestine' and flags. There is nothing like our country. I proudly carry the flag, my goal is to show it everywhere possible in the world. It’s another push, and I am there for that. Let them shout what they want; I show everyone who I am and who my country is. It only gives me more fuel and doesn’t bring me down. My dream is to let them hear 'Hatikvah.'"
After winning the European Championship this year, you dedicated the medal to Yonatan Gutin, a judoka who fell in Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7.
"It was very important to me. He will be with me in Paris too."