Israeli Asaf Yasur made history by winning a gold medal in taekwondo at the Paris Paralympics. This victory marks Israel’s first medal at the prestigious event.
Yasur emerged victorious in the final match of the 58-kilogram weight class in the K44 disability category, defeating his Turkish opponent Ali Can Ozcan with a score of 19-12. Prior to the final, Yasur secured impressive wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals, with scores of 23-6 and 16-6, respectively.
Despite facing challenges due to losing both his hands in an electrocution accident at the age of 13, the 22-year-old athlete has shown remarkable resilience and skill. He is a two-time world champion and entered the Paralympics as the top-ranked competitor in his disability and weight class.
Yasur has a proven track record of success, having previously won the 2021 and 2023 World Para Taekwondo Championships, a gold medal at the 2024 European Championships, and a silver at the 2023 European Para Championships, all in the 58-kilogram weight category.
Yasur’s gold medal adds to Israel’s impressive tally of 385 total medals in the Paralympic Games since its inception in 1960. He is part of a group of 28 Israeli athletes competing at the Paralympics, which includes returning medalists, survivors of significant events, as well as athletes from diverse backgrounds such as Druze and Muslim communities.