New judo facility named for slain IDF reservist Omer Smadga to open at Wingate Institute

A new judo hall named for IDF reservist Omer Smadga, who was killed fighting in Gaza last June, is in the works at Israel’s Wingate Institute.

Smadga, 25, was killed in a Hamas mortar attack in the central Gaza Strip on June 20, 2024. His father, Oren Smadga, is the head coach of Israel’s men’s judo team and flew to Paris for the 2024 Olympics just weeks after his son’s death.

Along with Smadga’s family and friends, the cornerstone laying ceremony for Wingate’s new Omer Hall was attended by Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar and the chair of the Olympic Committee of Israel, Yael Arad.

The ceremony was hosted by Israeli judoka and Olympic medalist Or “Ori” Sasson.

“Determination, unity and mutual responsibility are the legacy of Omar, who will forever be remembered,” says Zohar in brief remarks at the ceremony.

“I will not forget the moment when Oren [Smadga] and [bronze medalist] Peter [Paltchik] embraced each other after winning the medal in Paris. It was a distilled moment of the Israeli story. A sport that is all about controversy, faith, and determination that come together and lead to victory.”

According to the Wingate Institute, the new facility is expected to open in two years time.