Barak Lufan (Hebrew: ברק לופן) 2 January 1987 – 8 April 2022) was an Israeli kayaker and the head of the Israel Canoe Association.[1]
Barak Lufan | |
---|---|
ברק לופן | |
Born | |
Died | 8 April 2022 | (aged 35)
Cause of death | 2022 Tel Aviv shooting |
Resting place | Kibbutz Ginosar, Israel |
Nationality | ![]() |
Children | 3 |
Lufan was born in 1987 in Kibbutz Ginosar.[2] His grandparents were among the original founders of the kibbutz.[3] He had three children.[4]
Lufan was a trainer for the Israeli Paralympic team,[5] and served as the Israel Canoe Association's head coach.[6] Ynet wrote that he was "once considered one of Israel's leading kayakers."[2]
He took part in the 2006 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships along with Michael Kolganov.[7][8][9]
On 7 April 2022, Palestinian gunman Raad Hazem shot nine people, three fatally, including Lufan, in a mass shooting at the Ilka bar on Dizengoff Street, Tel Aviv. Two men died shortly after, and Lufan died from his injuries in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.[2] the following day.[10][11]
The Olympic Committee of Israel expressed their solidarity with Lufan.[10] In honour of his death, 40 kayakers sailed down the Yarkon River in a flotilla. His personal kayak was placed at the pier to serve as a memorial.[5]