Asi Maman
Noam Memo (Radad Jabara) (ONE System)
Historical medal at the European Youth Athletics Championships. Israeli athlete Noam Memo won the silver medal in the 800 meters tonight (Thursday), in the European Under-18 competition held in Jerusalem.
The 16-year-old Memo, one of the biggest promises of the industry in Israel, competed in the final of the 800 meters at the European Youth Championships and crossed the finish line after 1: 51.79 minutes, a result that secured him second place on the podium. This is the first ever medal of an Israeli athlete at the European Under-18 Championships.
Memo started the run when he was ranked fourth after the first lap on the track. He then looked for the way to break forward, so he had to go down to seventh place for a detour. In the last 200 meters Memo burst forward, narrowing the gap from the leading runner and finishing in second place.
The athlete from Migdal Haemek was discovered a few years ago by the late coach Mark Blechman, who passed away about two years ago. After Blechman’s death, Noam almost stopped competing, but just then Amir Ramon, the same coach’s trainee, took him under his wing after he was left without a coach, took him to training in the Hefer Valley and brought him to a medal.
The new European runner-up said after the achievement: “I feel amazing, it’s a wonderful moment. I wanted to take a medal, I was a bit stressed out from the competition before the run, but I’m glad I still succeeded. To do it in Jerusalem with the Israeli flag is like being in a dream, it is an honor and pride to represent the country in this place. The crowd and family helped me a lot, the crowd tossed me in the last few meters forward. I just wanted them to be happy, to be with them and hug them at the end of the run. I believe I have more where to go and I want to win more competitions in the future. I fought for my place in the last meters and I did it. “
His mother Rachel hugged him after the finish line and there were tears in her eyes. Our coach Amir Ramon He was also moved and noted: “We came to try to win. We knew what his abilities were but it was a tough run because there were a lot of punches and hits between the runners. He is a year younger than everyone else but behaved properly and went all out. It was worth accompanying him over the past few years and making the trips with him three times a week from Migdal Haemek where he lives to Emek Hefer where he trains. ”
Ramon added about the future: “Noam shows high ability even in the 400 meters. We aim to improve the 400 meters and take it to a higher level, but eventually 800 meters will be his main profession in the future. There is much more to improve and move forward. Noam is only in the 11th grade, there are many goals ahead.
