Asaf Yasur’s story has it all
Tragedy (losing both arms), turning points (Taekwondo training), crushing disappointment (missing the chance to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics), a legendary rival with a name straight out of a Turkish soap opera (Ali Can Özcan), and a perfect ending — winning gold in Paris. No sports movie compares. And it all happened at lightning speed. In what felt like an instant, Asaf Yasur went from a boy who suffered a horrific injury to a Paralympic champion (fittingly for his generation, he did everything at 1.5x speed, like a TikTok video).
From missing the Tokyo Games at the buzzer to becoming the favorite for gold in Paris, Yasur’s meteoric rise swept up the entire country. At just 22, he’s already at the top of his sport, and it seems like there’s nothing left for him to accomplish. But everyone trusts that he’ll find new heights to conquer. Yasur can do anything.
Man of hope
The moment that will forever define Ami Dadaon is his heartfelt rendition of Israel's national anthem "Hatikva" after winning his first gold medal, where he poured out his soul. Typically, this is when athletes reflect on their journey and shed a tear, but Dadaon always looks forward. He’s one of the greatest Paralympic athletes in Israel's history – a charismatic figure unafraid to speak his mind. In Tokyo, he called on parents of children with disabilities to get them into sports (and years from now, we’ll have a Paralympic champion who will say this was the moment that changed his life). This time, Dadaon focused on national pride.
The Paralympic swimming scene is constantly evolving, becoming more competitive than ever, making it harder to stay at the top. Dadaon picked up right where he left off in Tokyo, showcasing true sportsmanship and greatness. We may never see another Ami Dadaon, so we should urge him to keep going all the way to the Los Angeles Games.
Moran’s last podium
This is the final time we will see Moran Samuel on the Olympic podium – and we will certainly miss her. We’ll miss the feeling of having a guaranteed medal at the Games, no matter what. After all, her accomplishments, her sense of fulfillment is completely understandable. She has single-handedly put rowing on the map in Israel, inspiring a new generation of champions: Salah Shaheen and Shachar Milfelder, who won bronze in the doubles. Thanks to Moran Samuel, Israel is on its way to becoming a rowing powerhouse. She changed the world, and now she can retire in peace.
Both historic and fun
Goalball is a wild sport. Invented by a German-Austrian duo in the late 1940s to aid the visually impaired, it’s now a thrilling competition that leaves you wondering, "How do they do it?" How do they throw a ball blind? How do they block it? How does the team coordination work? Is it more like bowling or handball? Or maybe it’s closer to a soccer penalty shootout? There are so many elements to master in this sport, and Israel’s women’s team made history by winning the silver medal.
Team sports aren’t Israel’s forte, so it’s a surprise when two teams – goalball and the rhythmic gymnastics team, which also won silver – change that perception in a single summer. The loss to Turkey was frustrating, but it undoubtedly fuels the team to aim for gold in Los Angeles 2028. Everything must be done to ensure this sport continues to grow in Israel. Beyond its achievements, goalball is simply incredibly fun, and there’s a case to be made for adapting it to the Olympics, replacing gimmicks like breakdancing. Imagine the first time in history that a Paralympic sport becomes an Olympic event – now, that would be cool.
Thank you for the inspiration
I can’t stand the phrase "inspirational" – but let’s face it, sometimes clichés are true. Paralympic athletes inspired every Israeli in need of a boost during these tough times. And there’s nothing wrong with that. Life in Israel has become unbearably difficult, and it’s a blessing to have people who remind us of the strength to keep going.
Hearing "Hatikva" play in Paris, despite our enemies, is priceless. Every athlete representing Israel gave their all, and even those who didn’t win medals achieved extraordinary feats. Whenever the Israeli flag appears next to a competitor’s name, it’s a victory for the entire nation.
A million reasons to start
The outdated view that disabled sports are primarily for rehabilitation is dead. Nowadays, the Paralympic Games are more competitive than ever. The Israeli delegation could have been even larger, as many people don’t realize they can compete – and in doing so, miss their chance at a Paralympic medal. This issue surfaces every four years, only to be forgotten immediately after. But it’s easier than ever now to learn how to become a Paralympic athlete – just Google it. Some still fear the stigma attached to Paralympic sports, worried it will label them as “disabled.” Well, there’s one million reasons that might change your mind.