Israeli Paralympic rower claims bronze
Rower Moran Samuel claimed Israel’s first medal at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, winning a bronze in the arms-shoulders women’s single sculls final.
Samuel, the reigning world champion, clocked a time of 5:17.46 minutes in the 1,000meter final and took her first Paralympic medal after finishing in fifth place at London 2012.
“A Paralympic medal is so sweet,” said an emotional Samuel. “I really wanted to win a gold medal and hear the national anthem in Rio, but I gave everything I could.”
Samuel began rowing at the Daniel Rowing Center, on the banks of the Yarkon River, in
north Tel Aviv six years ago and scaled the top of the podium at last year’s world championships in Aiguebelette, France.
“I left everything out there but there were better rowers than me today,” she added.
Samuel lost sensation from the waist down when she was struck by a rare spinal stroke originating from a congenital disorder in 2006. She went from being a professional basketball player with a bright career ahead of her to being confined to a bed at the Beit Lowenstein Rehabilitation Center in Ra’anana where she faced a long and arduous rehabilitation process. Samuel returned to wheelchair basketball before channeling her ambition into rowing.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated Samuel over the phone.
“This is an unbelievable achievement,” said Netanyahu. “We can’t put into words how proud we are of you. You and your friends represent the Israeli spirit and you are a true hero.”
Samuel will receive a NIS 300,000 bonus from the Culture and Sport Ministry.
“I was really excited to speak with Paralympic rower Moran Samuel and congratulate her on winning a bronze medal after three days of competition in Rio,” Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev wrote on Facebook. “All of us held our breath while watching you and we were very excited. You are one of the best rowers in the world, you are a role model, a source of pride for women and for Israeli sports. You have proven again that you are a great sportswoman and I’m sure you will continue to achieve success.” •