“When we’re on the mat, we’re not only fighting for ourselves. We represent the entire country, the flag, and the Jewish state,” Israeli judoka Timna Nelson Levy told JNS.

Nelson Levy, ranked 10th in the world in the women’s under-57 kg category, has competed in 252 contests, won bronze in the team competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and is a European champion.

She spoke with JNS about the challenges of being an athlete during the war against Hamas and in the post–Oct. 7, 2023, reality.

“Abroad, we were surrounded by a lot of security at the beginning of the war, and we felt the hate and the antisemitism, unfortunately. I once fought a Moroccan girl who refused to shake my hand after the match. We’re also used to being booed by the crowd and seeing Palestinian flags. Sometimes we’d just walk outside and see protests,” she said.

“We don’t walk around with the word ‘Israel’ on our backs at all. Athletes from other countries walk freely with their national colors on their uniforms. We’re not allowed to leave the hotels as we please, and at times it can be frustrating,” she continued.

Nelson Levy described herself as a very enthusiastic child, one of six siblings. Her mother, who immigrated from the United States to Israel, wanted her to channel that energy into something productive.

“I started judo when I was six. When I was very young, it was my dream to get to the Olympic Games and win a medal. I’m now 31, and Los Angeles will be my third Olympic Games,” she said.

Nelson Levy has also coached young girls, and said that body-shaming and outside noise often hold people back from reaching their full potential.

“It’s the naysayers who say it’s a boys’ sport and question why girls need to have so much muscle. I think because I love the sport so much and was so good at it, I was able to quiet those noises—and that’s what I try to pass down to the next generation,” she told JNS.

“If they really love what they do, they need to keep doing it and not listen. In general, for kids today, everything is on the phone and easily accessible, and life passes very fast with all these machines. But judo teaches you how to work hard for what you want and where you want to get to. I tell kids to keep doing what they love and work the hardest for it,” she added.

Asked which athlete inspires her most, Nelson Levy named Israeli judoka Tal Flicker. Though he never reached the Olympics, she said his hard work, dedication and passion deeply influenced her. “I enjoyed watching how he trained,” she said.

Since the beginning of the war, Nelson Levy and her team have traveled across the world—to Europe, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and many other countries. Her goal, she said, is to show the beautiful side of Israel, fight for the Jewish people and raise the flag as high as possible for the children who watch her, as a message to keep dreaming.

After the 2024 Paris Olympics, however, Nelson Levy had to confront the challenge of losing her sponsors. Her supporters were mostly private Israelis or companies now focusing their resources on aiding Israeli soldiers and civilians directly affected by the war.

Nelson Levy is still supported by a team of coaches, medical staff, physiotherapists and psychologists whose kindness, belief in her and desire for her success keep her optimistic.

“I love what I do. I bring results and medals from abroad, and that’s what motivates me and pushes me forward. At the end of the day, my hard work pays off,” she said.

“These days, with everything our country has been through and continues to go through, it gives me extra strength. Everyone has a role. My brother serves in the IDF reserves—that’s his role. And my role is to represent the country the best I can and show its best side. That’s what drives me.”

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