Published: 2 August 2018
Last updated: 4 March 2024
An Israeli Olympic judo hopeful is on the rise. Except that he’s a Japanese Orthodox Jewish wrestler named Noah Leibowitz.
Confused yet?
The 11-year-old prodigy took the wrestling world by storm this week when he won the All-Japan youth championship on his first try, going head-to-head with two defending champions.
“Noah is wrestling with the SWAT team police wrestling club, one of the most elite clubs. All the guys who are coaches are former Olympians,” said Leibowitz’s New York-born father, David, who moved to Japan 25 years ago.
An ardent Zionist who has brought his son to Israel for long visits five times, the elder Leibowitz is already projecting how his son can represent Israel in the future as the family contemplates aliyah.
Leibowitz only began to take wrestling seriously a year ago, after returning to Japan with his family after spending four years in Atlanta, Georgia. He credits the inspiration to his 16-year-old brother, Levi.
FULL STORY 11-year-old Japanese Orthodox Jew wrestles his way to the top (Jerusalem Post)
Photo: Noah Leibowitz a Japanese Orthodox Jewish wrestler with his first-prize medal to an All-Japan youth
