Ariel Ze'evi

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name = Ariel Zeevi
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other_names = Arik Ze'evi


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birth_name = Ariel Zeevi
birth_date = birth date and age|1977|1|16
birth_place = Bnei Brak, Israel
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martial_art = Judo
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Ariel "Arik" Ze'evi ( _he. אריאל "אריק" זאבי, born 16 January 1977 in Bnei Brak) is an Israeli judoka, widely recognized as the country's most prominent judoca during the nineties and until this day. Zeevi, a dan 5 black belt in Judo, has made a long and successful career competing in half-heavyweight Judo competitions. He is an Olympic bronze medal finalist in the 2004 Summer Olympics Judo 100kg class in Athens. His current coach is Alex Ahskenazy.

Biography

Ze'evi was born and raised in Bnei Brak, an orthodox Jewish city in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area. While growing up, he trained in the local Judo club in his neighborhood together with his older brother, Roni, who was also the club's first local gold medal pioneer after having finished first in the national Israeli Judo Championships. Ze'evi, heavily influenced by his brother and his accomplishment, began training intensively and at the age of 14 won his first national competition in the adult class, thus becoming the country's youngest champion ever. Despite the lack of advanced training facilities, Ze'evi continued training in his local club and steadily closed the gap to world class level, and began competing abroad.

In his personal life, Ze'evi obtained a LLB degree from the Interdisciplinary Center college, in Herzliya.

He also hosted a sports television show for the Israeli Broadcasting Association (Channel 11).

He is currently engaged to his girlfriend and they're set to marry in September 2008.

Professional Career

Ze'evi placed 5th in the 2000 Summer Olympics in the men's 100 kg division before winning the bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens in the men's 100 kg division. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=466711&contrassID=1&subContrassID=8&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y Judoka Arik Ze'evi earns Israel its first medal at Games] Haaretz,19 August 2004]

He is the 2000, 2003, and 2004 European champion and the 2005 silver medalist. Ze'evi also won the silver medal in the open category in the 2001 World Championships.

He missed the 2005 World championships in Cairo due to a shoulder injury, and subsequently underwent surgery to repair the damage. [ [http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/896184.html Judo / Ze'evi begins physical therapy but will miss championships] Haaretz, 22 August 2007]

In the 2008 Beijing Olympics he failed to win a medal and lost his second match in the condolence bracket. Ze'evi told the Israeli media he does not want to end his career without a victory (probably hinting to the Judo World Championships in 2009).

Achievements

References

External links

* [http://www.judovision.org/?s=Zeevi Videos of Ariel Zeevi] (judovision.org)