Israeli-Arab swimmer Iyad Shalabi picked up the gold medal in the 100-meter backstroke on the first day of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday, finishing in two minutes and 28.4 seconds.
Shalabi, 34, who grew up Muslim in Shfaram, was born deaf and was later paralyzed in his lower body following an accident at the age of 13.
This is the first medal ever for an Israeli-Arab in an Olympic or Paralympic setting, according to KAN, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation.
איאד שלבי מביא מדליה לישראל - מדליית זהב!!! pic.twitter.com/A4k50UX8sR
— Adar Gitsis | אדר גיציס (@_Gitsis_) August 25, 2021
Shalabi’s coach, Yaakov Benenson, responded to the win with tears. “I am very excited and happy that he won the gold medal. This is his fourth Olympics. He always finished in fourth place, but he kept going.”
Iyad’s father, Yusuf Shalabi, who accompanied his son to Tokyo, stated in an interview, “My heart was pounding. When he overtook his competitor, I cried. He was constantly training. Six years, every day he trains. It’s like a dream.”
התרגשות שיא: איאד שלבי על הפודיום אחרי הזכייה בזהב@lianwildau (צילומים: קרן איזיקסון) pic.twitter.com/hPuy1cb0q3
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 25, 2021
President Isaac Herzog congratulated Shalabi in a tweet, calling him a “champion” and “a symbol of power. We are proud of you for the gold medal. Well done!”
איאד שלבי אתה אלוף! ריגשת אותנו. אתה סמל לעוצמה. גאים בך על מדליית הזהב. כל הכבוד! pic.twitter.com/Ks5PrJeow6
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) August 25, 2021
Later in the day, the president spoke to Shalabi personally, congratulating him on his win.
“We are all so proud of you. Your story is amazing and inspiring... it is a great honor you have brought to the State of Israel, a beautiful gold medal!” said Herzog.
Leader of the opposition and former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Shalabi on his victory in a tweet.
איאד שלבי - אתה זהב! אני מצדיע לך על הישג אדיר. כל הכבוד! pic.twitter.com/G0a2rKnt7M
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) August 25, 2021
Culture and Sport Minister Chili Tropper congratulated the Paralympic athlete, saying, “Iyad is an inspiring man whose life is full of victories, and today he delivered another brilliant victory. Iyad was not frightened by the high expectations and filled us all with great pride.”
On Tuesday, the opening ceremony of the 2020 Paralympic Games was held in Tokyo, a couple of weeks after the 2020 Olympics ended, in which Israel won two gold medals: Artem Dolgopyat in men’s gymnastics (floor routine) and Linoy Ashram in women’s rhythmic gymnastics.
The Israeli Paralympic delegation includes 33 athletes who will compete in 11 sports, according to KAN.