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Israel secured its first win in team sports in 36 years in two categories – taekwondo and goalball.
By Shula Rosen, United with Israel
Israel’s strongest showing at the Paralympics in 20 years was in Paris, where it took home ten medals, including four golds.
The Jewish State surpassed its nine medals won in the 2021 Tokyo Games and secured the most wins since the Athens 2004 games when Israel garnered 13 medals.
Israel’s performance in the Paris Paralympics was unique; in two categories—taekwondo and goalball—it was the first win in team sports in 36 years.
Israel’s delegation will be led at the Paralympics closing ceremony by Ami Dadaon, who won four swimming medals, and Gal Hamrani, the women’s goalball team captain.
“In our view, Ami and Gal — like the rest of the delegation — moved an entire nation and brought great honor to Paralympic sports and sports in general, and to the entire State of Israel,” Moshe Matalon, the chairman of the Israeli Paralympic Committee, said in a statement.
Ami Dadaon, Israel’s most decorated Paralympian, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and began swimming as a child at the recommendation of a physiotherapist.
He passionately sang along to the Israeli National Anthem when awarded medals and gave tribute to hostages and fallen IDF soldiers in interviews.
He said it was “a pleasure to represent the State of Israel and the Jewish people — I love you, our soldiers, the families of the hostages, the families of the fallen, the whole Israeli people. I’ll never forget your support… I felt you every moment I was swimming in the water.”
Mark Malyar, 24, also born with cerebral palsy, won bronze in the men’s 100m backstroke in the S8 class.
In Paris, Israel’s two other gold medals came from taekwondo athlete Asaf Yasur and rower Moran Samuel.
Asaf Yasur, 22, who lost his arms in an electrocution accident at the age of 13, defeated all opponents in the men’s under-58kg weight class, winning gold in his first year at the Paralympics.
Moran Samuel, 42, who has been wheelchair-bound following a spinal stroke at 24, competed in her fourth Paralympics and won gold in women’s single sculls. Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too! Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion. Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
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