Netanyahu congratulates Israeli taekwondo gold winner Yasur in Paris Paralympic Games

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Israeli athlete Asaf Yasur won a gold medal in taekwondo after defeating his Turkish opponent in the Paris Paralympic Games final. An overjoyed Yasur credited his family and team for his victory.

"I couldn't be happier," he said after the victory. "I thank my team, my sponsors, my family who came here and the people of Israel for their support."

The 22-year-old Yasur lost both of his hands when he was accidentally electrocuted during his childhood. He refused to give up and decided to focus on his talent in taekwondo.

"I set a goal for myself, to become the best that I could be. We worked hard, my trainer Yehiam Sharabi and I," he stated after the final.

Like many other Israeli athletes in recent months, Yasur expressed pride in winning the gold for the Jewish state following the traumatic Oct. 7 Hamas invasion and attack.

"The events of October 7 add significance to any fight or medal," he said in an interview with the Ynet news outlet prior to the competition in Paris. "I think about it when I wake up, when I begin to train and when I prepare mentally. The hope to raise Israel's flag, hear the national anthem and bring pride to the country, is instilled in all of us," he stated.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Yasur and praised his performance.

"Congratulations! What pride. Well done, you have greatly moved us." Netanyahu said, asking him how he was feeling after the victory.

"I am on cloud nine," Yasur responded. "This result came after a long time and much hard work. This is the most fun possible. I have been training for 9.5 years and thank G-d in the last two years there have been good results and we reached the top – Paris. After a long day and three tense fights, it ended in the best way from our perspective."

"This is a little pride that I can do for the country that I love so much. I am so happy that I can dedicate this to our country," he added.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog also praised Yasur’s performance.

"When he was hospitalized after his accident, I told him he would break records and change the world and here he is," Herzog recalled. "He brought much pride to the country.

The State of Israel has a history of achievements in the Paralympic Games.

Israeli athletes won seven medals in the previous Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games, including four gold, two silver and one bronze.

At the time, former Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper praised the performance of the Israeli athletes including the swimmer, Mark Malyar.

“Two gold medals, two world records, and a bright future for someone who started sports as part of hydrotherapy in the pool. Mark proves that not just talent is important, but also perseverance and a desire to overcome any limitation,” Tropper stated.

In the recent Paris Olympics Games, Israel made history by winning seven medals, including a gold medal in wind surfing. Israel’s previous Olympic record was four medals.