Israeli champion Oded Kogut achieved today in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, the victory he had dreamed of, at a timing, in a moment, and under circumstances that couldn’t have been more symbolic or powerful.
A victory while wearing the Israeli champion’s jersey – just hours before the clock marks 365 days since one of the darkest days in the history of Israel.
“To win on October 6, exactly one year after Black Saturday, and to do it while wearing the Israeli champion’s jersey, with the yellow ribbon of the hostages on my back – I don’t think I could ever experience a more emotional and powerful moment in my life,” said the 23-year-old Haifa native. “And it truly was.”
While the sports aspect became secondary in this story, it was still an impeccable display by an athlete who achieved the most important milestone of his young career in his first season as a professional.
The Israeli sprinter delivered a flawless performance, staying glued to the wheel of Alexander Kristoff, a world-renowned Norwegian rider and the natural favorite to win. Kristoff’s teammates pulled him towards the finish line, but Kogut kept his cool, stayed on his wheel, and then ignited his sprint, flying past his rival with immense momentum. He raised his arms in triumph at the finish line.
This was Kogut’s first professional victory, and if the symbolism wasn’t enough, it also marked the 150th victory for the Israeli team since they began competing in 2015.
Behind the scenes, this story was driven by motivation not only from the world of sports. It was a tale of determination to win on this particular day. Yesterday, Kogut missed out on victory by mere centimeters in the fifth stage of the tour against the same opponent. This morning, he vowed not to let the opportunity slip away again. “This victory is closer than ever,” he said.
On Saturday, his team organized a ride and memorial ceremony for the 11 cyclists who were murdered, most of them on Highway 232, in the early hours of Black Saturday. Hundreds of cyclists came to ride the same road, now a road of horror, and Kogut, who was competing in Croatia and couldn’t attend, promised he would do everything to win in their honor. He kept that promise.
Avida Bechar, the cyclist from Be’eri who lost his wife, son, and right leg to Hamas terrorists that morning – and who led yesterday’s memorial ride – was moved to tears by Kogut’s victory: “We keep moving forward,” he says. “That’s my message, and I am so happy and emotional that Oded carried that message tonight.”
Kogut added: “Above all, it is important to me that I had the opportunity to show the world the yellow ribbon and the need to bring our hostages in Gaza all back home as soon as possible.”
