Home comforts paid dividends for Ya’akov Tomarkin who claimed two silver medals at the European Short Course Swimming Championships at the Wingate Institute in Netanya.
The Israeli finished runner-up in the 100m medley and 200m backstroke in one of the most high-profile sporting events to be held in the country.
Tomarkin, 23, was cheered on by more than 3,000 spectators. Both his medal efforts were achieved in Israeli record times – 1:49.84 in backstroke and 52.62 seconds in the medley.
He thanked the fans for “making all the difference”.
Tomarkin commented: “It gave me a real push when I heard them. It was probably worth half a second.
Gal Nevo added a bronze medal in the 400 meters medley as Israel finished 14th in the medals table.
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