NETANYA, Israel, August 3. OR Sabatier lowered the Israeli record in the men’s 50-meter freestyle at the Israeli National Championships held at the Wingate Institute this week.
Special thanks to Dr. Buky Chass for contributing to this report.
Against the backdrop of continued aggression between the Israeli and Palestinian contingents in Gaza, the Israeli National Championships still took place. Sabatier managed to end the meet on a high note with a 22.54 in the men’s 50-meter free to set the national record. The Texas A&M Aggies’ swim beat the 22.68 set by Yahav Shahaf at the 2013 Maccabiah Games.
Plenty of other notable swims occurred this week in Israel.
David Gomberg took down Guy Barnea in the men’s 100-meter back, 54.81 to 55.25, while Yakov Tomarkin clinched the men’s 200-meter backstroke title in 1:59.67. Texas’ Imri Ganiel won the men’s 100-meter breast in 1:01.34, while Itai Goldfaden claimed the men’s 50-meter breast in 28.01.
Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or had a strong meet with wins in the 50 fly (24.20), 100 fly (54.14) and 100 free (50.26). Tom Kremer also won the 200 free (1:50.43), while Barnea took the 50 back in 25.12.
On the women’s side, Zohar Shikler took the 100 free in 57.34 with Keren Zibner winning the 100 fly (59.92) and 200 fly (2:15.43) events. Additionally, Jessica Antiles, a 17-year-old swimmer who just moved to Israel from the U.S., won four medals with titles in the 200 IM, 400 IM, 400 free and 800 free. Times for her events are not currently available.