Sofaer set for big time
RETURNING for his second Maccabiah Games, this time as an open player, tennis star David Sofaer will be looking to continue the form that won him gold in the junior event four years ago.
RETURNING for his second Maccabiah Games, this time as an open player, tennis star David Sofaer will be looking to continue the form that won him gold in the junior event four years ago.
The 21-year-old will have a tough task ahead of him, set to take on national players who represented their countries at Davis Cup level.
“It’s going to be difficult, but he’s been doing well in recent tournaments,” Australian masters team manager and tennis expert Lauren Erlich told The AJN.
“But we’re all hoping that he will do well in Israel and we know he’s got great fighting spirit.”
The masters team is down in numbers from 2009, but will feature at least four players with a chance of medalling.
Paul Erlich will be looking to defend his silver, set to team with Lance Rosenberg in the doubles as well, while Steve Loeffler and Jeremy Fisher will also take part in their debut masters event, after previously participating in the open tournament.
The junior squad will include six players from NSW and Victoria.
Justyn Levin, who is 16 and currently playing overseas, will venture to Israel for the second time, while fellow Victorian Jarred Krowitz, who is 17 years old, is already in the Holy Hand on the Maccabi Sports Leadership Program.
New South Welshman Noah Erlich, who is 13 and won bronze at the recent Pan American games, Daniel Pilman, 14, Aaron Benchoam, 15, and Josh Israeli, 16, will all be looking to medal in Israel as well.
Meanwhile, only two squash players will be heading across for the masters team – with no open side being fielded – both of whom won gold in 2009.
Dan Mossenson will look to go back-to-back after winning the over-60 event and Irvin Gordon, who won the over-55 event, will move up an age group and hope to make an immediate impact.
Ashley Shenker
Photo: Peter Haskin
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