Kam Claims Gold Medal at Maccabi Games in Israel

JERUSALEM, Israel – Duke men’s tennis graduate student Arturo Kam earned the gold medal at the Maccabi Games in Jerusalem, Israel, on Sunday.
 
“It’s the second time I’ve played in this event and it is always such an amazing experience and honor to be able to represent your country in one of the largest sporting events in the world,” Kam said. “Open tennis is always really competitive, so I knew I had to be ready to battle. To be able to put together a tournament like this and take home the gold medal means so much to me, especially being the first Mexican to win, I feel the support from everyone in Israel and back home. Knowing the work I’ve put in this past year at Duke and seeing it pay off is extremely rewarding. I’d love to thank my teammates and coaches for pushing me and all their support.”

The Mexico City, Mexico, native strung together seven consecutive wins to claim the men’s singles title. He registered 7-5, 6-3 victories over Nicolas Papic of Chili in the final. To reach the championship match, Kam defeated Jack Katzman of the United States and Rodrigo Plitsky Braunstein of Brazil in three-set fashion.

 

Kam also joined his brother Alan in the open men’s doubles tournament. The pair won their first two matches before dropping a 6-0, 6-2 decision to Simon Alexander Freund of Sweden and Joshua Luck of South Africa.

 

Kam wrapped up his Blue Devil career this spring and graduated from Duke’s Fuqua School of Business in May with a master’s degree in management studies.

 

RESULTS

OPEN MEN’S SINGLES

Group F: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Mark Konstantin Kolodizner (GER) 6-1, 6-0

Group F: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Shahar Gabay (ISRL) 6-3, 6-3

Group F: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Fernando Chame, walkover

Gold Draw: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Manuel Andres Zaidenberg (ARG) 6-0, retired

Gold Draw: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Jack Katzman (USA) 6-2, 6-7 (0), 7-5

Gold Draw: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Rodrigo Plotzky Braunstein (BRZ) 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4

Gold Draw: Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Nicolas Papic (CHI) 7-5, 6-3

 

OPEN MEN’S DOUBLES

First Match: Alan Kam/Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Damian Dosoretz (ARG)/Tal Paran (HUN) 6-0, 6-0

Second Match: Alan Kam/Arturo Kam (MEX) def. Ethan Ruben Milavsky/Sam Adam Wortzman (CAN) 6-4, 6-3

Third Match: Simon Alexander Freund (SWE)/Joshua Luck (RSA) def. Alan Kam/Arturo Kam (MEX) 6-0,…