Former Sydneysiders representing Israel in Lifesaving World Championships
Israeli are competing for the first time in the ILS Lifesaving World Championships currently being held in Riccione in Italy.
Paul Hakim and Sarah Vanunu
Representing Israel are two Australian-born lifesavers, Sarah Vanunu and Paul Hakim.
Competitive lifesaving is a sport that involves “a variety of competitions to further develop and demonstrate lifesaving skills, fitness and motivation,” according to the ILS. Competitors at the Lifesaving World Championships will have their skills tested in events that simulate emergency swimming rescue scenarios. The sporting activity consists of elements of rescue, such as reaction speed, running, swimming or paddling on a life board in the sea in the fastest possible time.
National Team Manager, CEO and Co-Founder of Israel Lifesaving Federation (ILSF), Paul Hakim, of Raanana, said: “I’m very proud to be leading Israel’s cohort for the first time in the Lifesaving World Championships. I’m excited to be part of this historic event, to put Israel on the world map. There is great potential here in Israel with a lot of enthusiasm that surf lifesaving sport will become a national sport – just like Down Under.”
In July, surf lifesaving competitions were held for the first time in Israel as part of the 21st Maccabiah Games, in which competitors from Israel and other countries in the world took part, including Morocco, Australia, France, Singapore, South Africa and Poland.
Sarah Vanunu, another Israeli competitor and former Sydney-sider who also competed in the 21st Maccabiah Games, said, “I’m honoured to put on the blue and white cap and represent Israel in such a significant sport close to my heritage as an Australian.”
The Lifesaving World Championships, under the auspices of the International Lifesaving Federation (comprising 148 national federations), typically attract between 3,000 and 5,000 competitors and officials and are conducted over a period of two weeks. The State of Israel has recently been accepted as a new member of the International Federation.
Neil Ben-Dror, CEO of the Ben-Dror Group, which represents Speedo in Israel, a partner of the Israel Life Saving Federation, said, “We are thrilled to be able to support Team Israel on their pioneering journey to Riccione and wish them all the best.”
Although Hakim and Vanunu, the Israeli representatives, will have to contend with strong competitors worldwide in this gala of lifesaving – the most significant life-saving competition in the world – this is certainly a significant breakthrough for Israeli sports, which is registering an achievement in a new sport.
Competitive lifesaving will be included as an Olympic sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane, Australia. Participation in the current World Championships is a first win for Israel and only the sky’s the limit.
