Yakov Springer was born in Poland and was educated in Physical Education while excelling in wrestling and weightlifting. He also represented his country in many competitions. Springer immigrated to Israel in 1956 and devoted his time to teaching physical education in schools in his town of Bat Yam and at the community center in Jaffa. He trained hundreds of youths, established a generation of champions, coaches and referees as well as coached the Israel national team in weightlifting. Springer had a superb reputation as a judge on an international level and went to Munich for the fifth time in his career as an official judge at the Olympic Games. Yakov Springer was 51 years old at the time of his death and left behind his wife, a son and a daughter. He is buried at the Holon cemetery.
