Israel’s swimmers have won four golds to lead the medal charge as the nation’s Paralympians took seven podium places in total in a sensational start to Tokyo 2021.
First to claim glory was Arab-Israeli Iyad Shalabi in the men’s 100m backstroke in the S1 disability category.
Then Mark Malyar won the men’s 200m individual medley – and went on to repeat his success in the men’s 400m freestyle two days later to double his tally of golds.
And one day later, on Monday this week, Ami Omer Dadon won the men’s 200m freestyle, to add a gold medal to the silver he had already taken in the men’s 150m individual medley.
There was also a bronze medal for Mr Malyar in the men’s S7 100m backstroke.
Israel’s women Paralympians had their first taste of success as Moran Samuel rowed to second place to take silver in the single sculls.
Israel has a proud record at the Paralympics, having taken 375 medals in total over the years, including the latest tally. But Mr Shalabi, 34, made history at his fourth games as the first ever Arab-Israeli medallist.
Born deaf-mute to a Muslim family from Shfar’am in the far north of Israel, he suffered an accident at the age of 13 that left him paralysed in all four limbs. His disability classification of S1 is the one that designates the most severe limitations.
Sports Minister Chili Tropper celebrated Shalabi’s gold medal as a “huge achievement”, adding: “Iyad is an inspiring man whose life has been full of victories.”
Born in Haifa, Mr Malyar took up swimming as a child as physical therapy for his cerebral palsy. The Israeli Paralympic Committee’s athlete of the year in 2017 was previously a gold medallist in both the European and World Championships before going to Japan to take part in his first Paralympics.
His time of two minutes 29.1 seconds in the 200m medley swim set a new world record.
Afterwards he said: “I’m happy that I succeeded in getting the result I want. I’m very tired. I didn’t feel that I was even going that fast, but it worked and my body is just about done.”
For world champion rower Moran Samuel, her rowing silver at her third Games can now be added to the bronze she won at Rio 2016.
Ms Samuel was 24 years old when she had a stroke that left her paralysed below the waist. She had previously been a member of the Israeli women’s national basketball team. After her stroke she switched to become a member of the Paralympic team as well as forging a career as a rower.
