Tokyo Olympics 2020: How A US-born Athlete is Helping Israel at the Equestrian Event in Japan

Israel will feature at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in the equestrian events. Four riders will head to Tokyo, one of whom is Dani Waldman. Although she represents Israel, Waldman grew up in Upper East Side of Manhattan. The 36-year-old New Yorker will hope to bring a medal back to Israel in Tokyo.

New York-born and bred- Dani Waldman is heading to the Olympics

Manhattan wasn’t prime horse sport territory, and neither is Israel. However, these factors couldn’t keep Dani Waldman away from her genuine passion. Both her parents were professional squash players, which meant Dani entered a world of sports at a very young age, and her passion for equestrian came about when she was eight.

According to the Times of Israel, Dani made the trip to Israel for her bat mitzvah when she was twelve, and since then felt a strong connection with the nation. In 2010, she acquired Israeli citizenship, and in 2021, she’ll represent the nation at the Tokyo Olympics 2021.

Speaking to the Times of Israel, she reacted to her shocking Olympic qualification. ?For me it?s a real huge sense of pride. Since I got my Israeli citizenship more than 10 years ago, this has been my whole goal: to build this team for Israel? I?m thrilled that Israel will have representation in equestrian sports in the Olympics when they never have before. It?s an amazing feeling.?

Joining Waldman in the show jumping team are Ashlee Bond, Teddy Vlock and Alberto Michan. They won’t send an eventing or dressage team to the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

Who is Waldman’s competition from the USA at the Tokyo Olympics 2020?

Dani Waldman is a tough competitor, but she will face some stiff resistance from the US show jumping team at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Standing opposite her are McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Jessica Springsteen and Laura Kraut.

Jessica (world #14), the daughter of Bruce Springsteen, shocked the world by qualifying for the Olympics, but her talents will speak for themselves in Tokyo. She is a more than effective replacement for former gold medalist Beezie Madden. Alongside Springsteen stand three former Olympic medalists.

McLain Ward is one of the most decorated Olympians in US equestrian with two gold and one silver medals to his name. Kent Farrington, the highest ranked member of the team, is a former silver medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Finally, Laura Kraut won gold at the Beijing Olympics 2008, and has become a terrific coach for future equestrian Olympians, one of whom is Jessica Springsteen.

Read more: Tokyo Olympics 2020: Aussie Eventer Bows Out of Equestrian Event After Injury to Horse