LONDON – Israeli swimmer Inbal Pezaro won the first Israeli medal at the London Paralympics on Thursday after coming in third at the 50 meter freestyle heat, taking home the Bronze medal.
Swimming at the S5 disability classification, Pezaro stopped the clocks at 37.89 seconds. She was preceded by the Ukrainian and Spanish swimmers.
Sports and Culture Minister Limor Livant congratulated Pezaro on her achievement. "Today Inbal proved, and not for the first time, that she's an amazing winner and an honor ambassador for Israeli sport.
"Her physical and mental strength are an example to us all." Livnat noted her personal delight that the first Israeli medal at the Paralympics was won by a female athlete.
"I believe that Inbal's achievement will give the rest of our team's athletes confidence and that it won't be the last. I salute you Inbal."
Inbal Pezaro. First medal in 2012 Paralympics
This is Pezaro's six Paralympic medal. In Athens, she won a bronze and a silver medal and in Beijing took home three silver medals.
The Israeli swimmer also found success in various international tournaments in the past few years. In 2010, she won the gold at the 100 meters freestyle in Holland.