After his spectacular victory over a Turkish opponent, Israeli Muay Thai fighter Ahavat Hashem (“Love of God”) Gordon was greeted at the airport in Israel by cheering supporters upon his return – a moment filled with emotion, pride, and symbolism.

The international fight took place as part of the UTMA 127 event in Kaunas, Lithuania. There, the 19-year-old Israeli faced Turkish fighter Ali Koyuncu. The bout had already attracted attention in advance after the Turkish opponent caused outrage with antisemitic statements on social media. This gave the sporting contest a political and emotional dimension that extended far beyond the ring.

Upon landing in Israel, Gordon was welcomed at Ben Gurion Airport by numerous fans. Many waved Israeli flags and chanted his name. The scenes resembled the return of a national hero more than that of a young athlete after an international competition.

Victory in the ring and clear words afterward

The fight itself ended with a clear technical knockout victory for Gordon. For two intense rounds, he dominated his opponent, who ultimately was unable to continue. With this success, the Israeli remains undefeated in his professional career.

Immediately after his return, Gordon said: “This is the moment I have waited for my entire life. Everything comes from Hashem (God).” Referring to his opponent, he added: “Especially when the fight was against a Turkish opponent who is antisemitic. If I had thought about everything that happened the whole time, it would have thrown me off balance.”

He was particularly moved, he said, by messages from Israeli soldiers: “I received messages from IDF soldiers. Soldiers who watched the fight in Gaza – that almost brought me to tears.”

In the ring, Gordon visibly wore Jewish symbols, including a kippah, tzitzit, and the Israeli flag. He explained: “It’s crazy and it’s a privilege. I used my strength and showed that a Jewish Israeli with a kippah and tzitzit does not hide who he is.”

More than a sporting success

The reception at the airport showed that the victory meant more to many Israelis than just a sporting triumph. In a time of national tension, the fight was perceived as a sign of self-confidence and steadfastness.

According to reports, the atmosphere was already tense before the duel. During official pre-fight events, there were heated moments between the two athletes. The political charge of the matchup added extra explosiveness to the sporting event.

Gordon himself tried to focus on the sporting aspect. “We do what we have to do, and we do the right thing,” he said. His words reflected not only personal determination but also an awareness that he represented more than just himself.

With eleven wins and no losses, the young fighter is considered one of the most promising talents in Israeli Muay Thai. Yet the evening in Kaunas and the reception in Israel have made his name known far beyond the sports scene.

The moment at the airport—flags, chants, and visible emotion—showed how strongly sport can intertwine with national identity in certain situations. For Gordon, as he himself said, it was “the moment I have waited for my entire life.”

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