Paraolympics – Dadaon leads golden start for Israel in Paris

AT the time of going to print (Wednesday), Israel had won four gold medals, one silver and two bronzes at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, which continues until September 8. Two of the golds, and the silver, belong to swimmer Ami Dadaon, who was born with cerebral palsy. The 23-year-old’s first gold in Paris came on August 30 when he won the men’s S4 100m freestyle final in 1:20.25, just hours after breaking the paralympic record time in the heats by clocking 1:19.33. Dadaon shed tears as he sung every word of Hatikvah with passion, and after winning silver in the 150m individual medley two days later, he reflected on how news of Hamas’s murder of six Israeli hostages had heavily weighed on his mind, and expressed his condolences. “It affected me … I live for [the people of] Israel and for our country,” he said. Then on Wednesday morning (Australian time), Dadaon won gold in the 200m freestyle, touching the wall in the final in 2:49.26 to come first by more than three seconds. Again, tears flowed when Hatikvah was played. “When I’m on the podium, I think about our nation and everything it is going through, and I know that if I can succeed in bringing a few moments of satisfaction, I’ve already done my part,” he said. Dadaon could win another gold on Friday, when he competes in the 50m freestyle, while Israeli quad tennis player Guy Sasson will play in a bronze medal match today (Thursday). Israel’s first Paralympics gold in Paris was won by taekwondo athlete Asaf Yasur when he beat USA PARALYMPICS TEAM Frech wins gold with PB time IN an incredible come-from-behind effort inside a packed Stade de France, Jewish track and field athlete Ezra Frech won gold for the USA, by a margin of just 0.2 of a second in the men’s T63 class 100m sprint final on Tuesday morning (Australian time). Frech, 19, was almost last coming off the starting blocks, but quickly recovered with a burst of speed that he was able to maintain all the way to the finish line where he leaned forward, which proved crucial. At first, it was unclear who had won, but moments later, officials confirmed that Frech won in a PB time of 12.06 seconds, while Denmark’s Daniel Wagner came second. Frech, who was due to compete in the high jump – his signature event – at the time of going to print, competes wearing a prosthetic left leg. It was his first Paralympics medal win, having competed in Tokyo. After winning gold, Frech said, “I’m quite shocked – I’m still taking it in”, adding while he knew he had a chance of medalling in the 100m, it wasn’t something he had expected. Ami Dadaon wearing his gold medal after winning the men’s S4 200m freestyle final in Paris. Photo: Lilach Weiss Rosenberg Turkey’s Ali Can Ozcan 18-12 in the final of the men’s under-58kg competition. The 22-year-old, who lost both of his arms in an accident nine years ago, narrowly missed out on qualifying for Tokyo, but came into these games as the reigning world champion. Taekwondo athlete Asaf Yasur celebrates his Paralympic gold medal match victory.  Photo: Steph Chambers/ Getty Images, via JTA After winning gold, Yasur donned an Israeli flag and was carried on the shoulders of a large group of well-wishers. Yasur said three of his brothers had served in combat in the IDF over the past year, saying that they “gave me strength”. “With everything my country SPORT BRIEFS is going through, this is the least I could do for my country.” Having won bronze and silver in Rio and Tokyo, rower Moran Samuel went one better in Paris on September 1, winning gold in the women’s single sculls final. The 42-year-old – who has used a wheelchair since having a spinal stroke 18 years ago – burst into tears when crossing the finish line in first place. She will now retire as an athlete on the highest possible note. Israel’s two bronze medals were won by swimmer Mark Malyar in the men’s S8 100m backstroke, and by rowing duo Shahar Milfelder and Saleh Shahin in the mixed double sculls. Shahin, who is Druze, and was wounded in a 2005 Gaza border terror attack, said he was pleased to be able to help “bring some light to the nation”.

SOURCE AJN