Tokyo 2020

Israel’s Olympic baseball dreams crushed with loss to Dominicans

Jewish state's team eliminated after 7-6 defeat; Israeli synchronized swimmers, women's sailing team also fail to advance -- but equestrian makes it to finals

By AP and ToI Staff 3 August 2021, 5:43 pm
Israel's relief pitcher Zachary Weiss hurls the ball during the eighth inning of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games baseball round 1 repechage game between Israel and Dominican Republic at Yokohama Baseball Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, on August 3, 2021. (KAZUHIRO FUJIHARA / AFP)

YOKOHAMA, Japan — The Dominican Republic’s baseball team eliminated Israel from the Olympics with a 7-6 win Tuesday.

The Dominicans (2-2) will play the United States (2-1) on Wednesday, and the winner of that game will play for a gold medal game berth against the loser of the Japan-South Korea semifinal.

Israel had previously lost to South Korea and the US before winning against Mexico, but hopes for a tournament turnaround were not to be.

Also on Tuesday, Israeli show jumping rider Ashlee Bond advanced to the individual jumping final, to take place on Wednesday, after coming in third place.

The other Israeli riders fell behind and failed to qualify in the individual jump, but will compete again in the group round.

Israel’s Alberto Michan, who has competed in the Olympics in the past for Mexico, was eliminated after falling off his horse.

Israel’s Alberto Michan falls off of his horse during the individual jumping competition in Tokyo on August 3, 2021 (screen capture)

And Israeli synchronized swimmers Eden Blecher and Shelly Bobritsky failed to advance in the artistic swimming duet free routine qualifying round, placing 15th.

Israeli synchronized swimmers Eden Blecher and Shelly Bobritsky compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on August 2, 2021. (Simona Castrovillari/Israel Olympic Committee)

The Israeli women’s sailing team was also knocked out of the running after falling to 10th place in the opening series.

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