Judo boss bullied legendary coach Oren Smadja after his son was killed in Gaza 

Oren Smadja, the renowned coach of Israel’s men’s judo national team, has issued a scathing pre-lawsuit letter to the Judo Association, accusing Chairman Moshe Ponti of harassment, mistreatment, and undermining his authority, particularly following the tragic death of his son, Omer, in Gaza.

The letter, revealed by Ynet, comes on the heels of Smadja’s dramatic resignation after 15 years, sparking a major controversy within the Association.

Serious Allegations Against Judo Association

In the letter, also sent to the Olympic Committee, Smadja claims Ponti engaged in a pattern of hostile behavior, including:

“Despite the tragedy that struck Smadja and his family, he feels Ponti has been harassing and mistreating him, acting to harm his spirit, status, and ability to continue as head coach,” the letter states. Smadja alleges that Ponti’s actions caused him medical issues, though he remained dedicated, leading the team to a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.

Impact on Team Performance

Smadja’s lawyers point to the recent European Championship in Montenegro, where the men’s team returned without a medal and with only one victory: the worst continental performance in its history. They claim Ponti’s interference in selecting the roster and coaches for the event, against Smadja’s professional judgment, contributed to the failure. The team has now gone four years without a European medal, a stark contrast to its consistent success from 1999 to 2021.

Attempts at Resolution Fail

Smadja says he repeatedly tried to resolve the issues with Ponti, but the chairman remained uncompromising, stripping him of authority and showing “a shocking lack of sensitivity.” A scheduled meeting to find a solution was canceled by Ponti. The letter also criticizes decisions like sending the coaching staff on a collective vacation post-Paris Olympics, which harmed the young team’s training, and dismissing coaches, including Smadja’s assistant, Guy Fogel, against his wishes.

Judo Association’s Response

The Judo Association’s board is set to convene today, as they face pressure from some members to ask Ponti to resign. The Association declined to address Smadja’s specific allegations, referring to their initial statement: “We received Oren’s resignation with sorrow. We have no intention of engaging in a dispute with a bereaved father, despite the inaccuracies in his statements. Oren was and always will be a central part of the illustrious legacy of Israeli judo.”

Smadja’s Legacy and Tragedy

A judo icon, Smadja won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Israel’s second-ever Olympic medal. As coach since 2010, he led the team to three Olympic bronze medals (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, Paris 2024) and a 2019 World Championship title with Sagi Muki.

His achievements continued despite profound personal loss: his son Omer was killed in Gaza on Smadja’s 54th birthday. Last week, Smadja lit a torch at Israel’s Independence Day ceremony, honored as a “model of inspiration and hope” for his leadership through grief.

As the board meets, the pressure mounts on Ponti to address the claims or step down, while Smadja’s threat of legal action looms large.

Ynet contributed to this article.