Israeli Archery Association Holds Annual Gala in Binyamina

The Israeli Archery Association held its annual gala event this Friday in Binyamina. The event was attended by national team archers, club members, families, and friends, and featured awards of recognition and honors for outstanding archers and contributors to the sport.

A surprise emerged in the “Archer of the Year” selection, which ended in an unprecedented three-way tie between Shamai Yamrom, Roi Dror, and Yiftach Hadar, each receiving the exact same number of votes. It was the first time ever that a tie occurred in the Association’s annual awards — let alone a triple tie. The award voting is conducted among hundreds of registered Association members, following the shortlist prepared by the professional committee in each category.

The three archers earned equal votes following their exceptional achievements this past year.

• Shamai Yamrom, from Maccabi Rishon Archery Club, reached 7th place in the world ranking — the highest ever for an Israeli archer — won the silver medal at the Veronica Cup, and placed fifth at the World Games.

• Roi Dror, from Kochav HaSharon Archery Club and Israel’s representative at the Paris Olympic Games, won gold at the European Youth Cup and broke three national records this year.

• Yiftach Hadar, from Maccabi HaEmek VeHaHar, won youth gold at the prestigious Lancaster Classic in the USA.

  
  

Michaela Moshe, from Maccabi Tel Aviv and also a Paris Olympian, was named Female Archer of the Year after winning gold at the Veronica Cup, bronze in Berlin, and setting two new Israeli records. Nicole Golovnevsky was awarded Breakthrough of the Year after winning the Israeli Championship and joining the Wingate Institute’s Excellence Academy. Yulia Lobzhnidze, who arrived in Israel two years ago after fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion, was named Coach of the Year. Noa Warshevsky received the Contribution to Archery Award. Bethlehem of Galilee Archery Club was named Club of the Year — for the fourth consecutive year.

Over the past two years, the Association has led numerous community initiatives supporting families evacuated from communities near Gaza, as well as programs for IDF and Police widows, orphans, and Iron Swords war rehabilitation patients. These activities are coordinated by Amit Shiner-Dandekar, Chairperson of the Association, and Lia Frankel, National Team Director.

Certificates of appreciation were presented to 23 volunteers who contributed to the Association’s community programs this year: Adi Ravid, Eyal Arusi, Hillel Kleiner, Bar-John Levinson Honda, Shahar Kleiner, Tal Dudai, Ruth Zinder, Ben Hadani, Lior Peleg, Netanel Peleg, Niv Frankel, Shira Ifargan, Alma Ifargan, Roi Dror, Shamai Yamrom, Raz Harush, Harel Mor, Oz Stein Yor, Nicole Golovnevsky, Lia Frankel, Itay Shanny, Yigal Ravid, and Shelly Hilton.

“This year we accompanied Shamai Yamrom to the World Games, and our national team archers performed at a very high level, bringing home numerous medals throughout the season,” said Amit Shiner-Dandekar, Chairperson of the Israeli Archery Association, during the ceremony. “From the eight archers who joined the new Wingate Academy, to the expansion of clubs nationwide — including into the Druze sector, youth villages, and the Paralympic field — we’re seeing ever-growing participation lines at national tournaments. With great pride, we conclude another year of competitive success while continuing to emphasize our volunteer work supporting evacuated communities, IDF and Police orphans and widows, and the wounded of Iron Swords.”

At the ceremony, Ori Rozmarin-Berlad was announced as the new National Team Captain, becoming the fifth captain in the team’s history, following Itay Shanny, Niv Frankel, Shamai Yamrom, and Alma Ifergan.

2025 Gala Participants