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Israel wins first medal in Rio Paralympics

Israel has won a total of 380 Paralympic medals, putting it thirteenth on the list of medal-winning countries.

Paralympic rower Morane Samuel made Israel very proud on Sunday when she won Israel’s first medal at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janiero, taking third place in the women’s 1000-meter single sculls.

The gold medal was taken by Great Britain’s Rachel Morris, who set a new Paralympic record. China won the silver.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called to congratulate her. “What you did, it’s an outstanding achievement and we are proud of you” he said, saying she and the Israeli team brought “the Israeli spirit” and that she was “a real hero.”

President Reuven Rivlin called to congratulate her as well.

Samuel, 34, took up rowing fairly late, in 2010. In the 2012 games in London she came in fifth. In 2015, she won the gold medal at the World Cup competition in Italy. This is her first Olympic medal.

She was a member of Israel’s national basketball team until 2006 when she suffered a spinal stroke and became paralyzed in her lower body.

Israel has won a total of 380 Paralympic medals, putting it thirteenth on the list of medal-winning countries.

More than 30 Israeli athletes are competing in the 2016 Paralympics in a range of events including tennis, table tennis, goalball, rowing, sailing and swimming, Israel Radio reported.

By: World Israel News