Junior Chachi Gustafson represented the USA Juniors Swim Team at the World Maccabiah Games in Israel, July 4-18. The Maccabiah Games,hosted by the Maccabi World Union are held every four years in Israel. The Union is the largest and longest running Jewish sports organization spanning over five continents, more than 60 countries, 450 clubs, and 400,000 members.
Chachi was one of 10,000 participating athletes from 80 countries. He won silver and bronze medals in the 100m and 200m butterfly. Both times are currently in the top 10 and top 20 in the US. He was also on the Team USA 400 medley relay that won a silver medal.
Chachi was in Israel for just over three weeks. "It rates as the best life experience I've ever had. It was one of the most fun things I've ever been apart of, along with my first time traveling out of country without my family," Chachi says. "I've also met friends that I will most likely talk to for a very long time."