Asaf Yasur Wins Gold for Israel in Taekwondo at Paralympic Games

Israeli taekwondo fighter Asaf Yasur made history on Thursday night by winning Israel’s first medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. Competing in the under-58 kg category, Yasur claimed the gold medal after a thrilling 19-12 victory over Turkey’s Ali Can Ozcan in the final. The 22-year-old Israeli’s win was celebrated with the playing of "Hatikvah," Israel’s national anthem, as he stood atop the podium.

Yasur’s path to victory included an impressive 15-6 win against Taiwan’s Jiang Xiao in the semifinals earlier that day, ensuring he would bring home either a gold or silver medal. Opening with a strong 10-2 lead, Yasur successfully fended off Xiao’s attempts to close the gap, maintaining his advantage until the final buzzer. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Yasur, who is also the reigning 2021 and 2023 World Champion and was considered a top medal contender going into the competition. In the quarterfinals, he dominated Thailand’s Tanawa Kaenkham with a decisive 23-6 victory.

Yasur’s journey to this gold medal is particularly inspiring. He lost both of his hands in a tragic accident at the age of 13 after being electrocuted. Despite narrowly missing out on a spot at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Yasur’s recent successes, including his second World Championship title and a European Championship win in May in Belgrade, secured his place in Paris.

Competing in the K44 class, which is for athletes who have lost both hands, one hand, or a toe, Yasur demonstrated remarkable skill and determination. Before the games, Yasur expressed his pride in representing Israel, especially during challenging times, stating, “Representing Israel, especially in these challenging times, is something I deeply cherish. I come as a champion, which adds pressure, but I’m here to enjoy the experience and ultimately fulfill my dream of competing in the Paralympics.”

In other action from Thursday night, Israel’s Ami Dadaon narrowly missed a podium finish, coming in fifth overall in the 50m Breaststroke SB3 event.

The Israeli Delegation

Israel sent a delegation of 28 athletes—14 men and 14 women—to the Paralympics, showcasing a diverse group that includes an October 7 survivor, a Druze athlete, and three Muslim athletes, according to the Israel Paralympic Committee.

At the most recent Paralympic Games in Tokyo, Israel won nine medals, including six golds. The country has a storied history at the Paralympics, with a total of 384 medals dating back to the inaugural Summer Paralympics in 1960. Tel Aviv had the honor of hosting the Paralympics in 1968.

The 2024 Paralympic Games, founded by the late German-Jewish doctor Ludwig Guttman, feature over 4,000 athletes competing in 22 sports from August 28 through September 8.

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