Nick Blackman could be heading for Israel

JACK MILNER

On that basis a lot could be gleaned from the name of UK football player Nick Blackman. When Blackman was named into the Blackburn team in 2009, he became the only Jewish soccer player in the Premier League. He was later on loan to a couple of clubs and then in 2013 he signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Reading, for whom he now plays.

However, Blackman is longing to play internationally and at the end of last year he had an offer from Israel. The 25-year-old striker revealed in 2010, while on loan at Motherwell, that he could play international football for Barbados, England, Holland or Poland.

If he ever does play international football, though, it will not be the first time that he has played on the international stage. Blackman first experienced international football at just 13 years of age – when he played for Great Britain at the Maccabiah.

He told the Daily Record: “I was only 13 when I went to the Maccabiah, the Jewish Olympics, and I was part of a British schools team.

“I qualified through my gran Marta. She was in Holland when the Second World War broke out and was made homeless. Her family had died and she was on her own, so a Jewish family took her in. She became Jewish and when I had the chance to go the Maccabiah, I took it.”

Blackman’s Jewish background may have largely gone under the radar in Reading, but it has been noticed in Israel. In November The Tilehurst End, local Reading newspaper, was approached by Aviv Kohen, who works for Israel HaYom, the biggest circulating newspaper in Israel, about the Reading forward.

According to Aviv, Blackman could be eligible for Israeli citizenship, which of course would make him eligible to don the blue of Israel. Aviv carried a lengthy article in Israel HaYom in which he detailed the background of the Salford-born forward and if all things go according to plan, this all may lead to Blackman realising his dream of international football on an unlikely stage.

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Jewish athletes shine in the Midlands Ultra Triathlon

Just one second separated second-placed Mark Sack from winner Gerhard de Bruin in the Midlands Ultra Triathlon at Midmar Dam on March 1.

Mark completed the 1,9km swim, 90km cycle and 21,1km run in four hours, 24 minutes and one second, with that last split second dividing him from professional triathlete De Bruin.  

Sack had a great swim and managed to stick with the top professionals and completed the swim in 27,32 minutes; he lost just over a minute on De Bruin and that made all the difference in the end. He maintained a solid and consistent pace on the bike through the hilly and undulating Midlands terrain and completed the bike leg in a time of two hours and 30 minutes, which placed him fifth overall with the 21,1km run left.

He clawed back from De Bruin, with the second fastest run of the day – completing the leg in an excellent time of one hour and 22 minutes. 

It was a superb achievement by the 44-year-old, who also finished first in the 40 to 49 age group.

The fastest time on the run was achieved by Gavin Mofsowitz, who completed the 21,1km in one hour 20,42 minutes. He made up lots of ground on the opposition to finish fourth overall in a brilliant time of 4:28,39 in a well-planned race. Mofsowitz swam the 1,9km in a time of 29 minutes, while riding himself into the top 10 by pulling back some strong cyclists and completing the bike leg in 8th place overall.

Mofsowitz needed to have the run of his life in order to qualify for the SA team, with a top five finish. This incredible feat was achieved and he was able to pull back four places with a phenomenal effort to catch the Ironman Pro, Bradley Venter, with 300m to go in order to slip into the top five.

Mofsowitz also achieved a silver medal in the 30 – 34 age group.

Other great results by our Jewish triathletes included the young Dean Joffe, who finished in a time of 5 hours and eight minutes, and a first place win in the 20 – 24 age group. It is great to see some new and upcoming Jewish talent. Joffe’s father and mentor, Steven, also completed the gruelling event in a time of 6 hours and 14 minutes.

Jodi Zulberg claimed first place in the women’s 40 – 49 category in an overall time of 5 hours and 43 minutes. Shaun Rosenberg finished in a time of 5 hours and 23 minutes, while Herschel Jawitz completed the Ultra in a time of 5 hours and 44 minutes.