1.Yuri Foreman-Foreman, who was born in Belarus is a former World Boxing Association super welterweight champion with a career record of 28 wins, two losses (including one heavily publicized fight against Miguel Cotto) and eight knockouts. He’s also an aspiring Orthodox rabbi who wished viewers a happy Hannukah after one of his televised fights.
2.Charlie White-White is, along with Meryl Davis part of what many ice skating fans and experts agree is the most dominant pair in ice dancing in the U.S. right now, if not the entire world. As of right now, they’re ranked first in the world in ice dance by the International Skating Union, they’ve won three consecutive U.S. Championships and they also took silver at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
3.Jason Lezak-Lezak has four Olympic gold medals and has won eight World Championships spread out over four different events. You probably best remember him though as the swimmer who rallied in the final leg of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing to give the U.S. a split-second win over France and keep Michael Phelps’ quest for eight gold medals alive.
4.Shahar Peer-Peer has won five Women’s Tennis Association titles in her career so far and is currently ranked No. 11 in the world by the WTA. She was also prevented from competing in the 2009 Dubai Tennis Championships when, as an Israeli, the United Arab Emirates refused to grant her a visa.
5.Dudi Sela-Sela is currently ranked No. 96 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals but he’s been ranked as high as 20th. He has yet to win an ATP singles tournament but he did win the 2003 French Open title in boys’ doubles with Gyorgy Balazas.
If you feel like I left anyone out who’s currently competing or just want to highlight some great Jewish athletes from the past, feel free to leave a comment.