Alice Schlesinger now Sambo World Champion

Three-time Olympian Alice Schlesinger has felt at "home" since swapping the judogi for the sambo uniform, according to her husband and coach. Israeli-born Schlesinger captured the women’s under-72 kilograms title at the World Sambo Championships here in Tashkent in Uzbekistan.

It marked a sensational return for the 33-year-old who only got back into the sport after announcing her retirement from judo 11 months ago. 

Schlesinger enjoyed a 15-year career in judo, winning medals for both Israel and Britain before calling it a day in December 2020.

The Rio 2016 Olympian is no stranger to sambo having captured back-to-back world titles in 2013 and 2014 before leaving Israel for Britain - the birthplace of her mother - to focus on judo.

But husband and coach Pavel Musin said Schlesinger was even more emotional after winning her third sambo gold medal - seven years after her last.

"She said that it feels like home," Musin told Geoff Berkely of Inside The Games  "She was very emotional. "She said that 'I have taken many medals in World Championships in judo and two times in sambo but yesterday was very exciting.'"

Born and raised in Herzliya in Israel, Schlesinger became a star in judo, winning bronze medals at the World Championships in 2009 as well as at the European Championships in 2008, 2009 and 2012.

After switching allegiances to Britain, Schlesinger won bronze at the European Championships in 2017 and silver at the European Games in 2019.

She represented Israel at Beijing 2008 and London 2012 before competing for Britain at Rio 2016.

The judoka was expected to be selected by Britain to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics only to announce her retirement from the sport.

Musin said travel disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in Schlesinger's decision to call time on her judo career.

"We live in Israel," Musin explained. "When Britain was open the team flew to competitions whereas we couldn’t fly as Israel was closed. "When Israel was open, Britain was closed.

"It was a very difficult situation and she said that she was unsure whether the Olympic Games would take place either.

"She said, 'I don’t want to continue like this, I must start a new life out of the sport,' so she took the decision to finish with judo."

Schlesinger missed out on the opportunity to compete in a fourth Games at Tokyo 2020 but Musin said she did not regret that retirement decision.

"She has finished with judo," said Musin. "But she wants to continue with sambo. "She says she is enjoying it. "We don’t get money for this as it is not professional but she is finding it fun and as long as she is feeling good and healthy she says she will continue."

Musin said Schlesinger had played a key role in the development of sambo in Israel as participation continues to grow.

"I competed in sambo when I was young as I come from Russia," said Musin.

"We went to the Universiade where she took the gold and, just like this, we started sambo in Israel.

"Many competitors in the club started to be interested, thinking maybe I can compete and now we have 1,000 competitors in sambo with 16 clubs from north to south of Israel.

"She likes sambo. It’s different to judo as it’s more technical and they are allowed to take away the legs. Sambo is very strong now, it is a different level compared to when she competed in in 2014. It is a very high level. She stopped judo in December and after a few months she said 'I must compete in something else so I will come back to sambo.'

"She competed at the European Championships in May where she took second place and now she is competing here."