Israel breaks London medal drought with Paralympics bronze

After a disappointing 2012 Olympic Games that resulted in zero medals, Israel has broken through with its first achievement in the Paralympic Games on the first day of competition Thursday. Swimmer Inbal Pezaro won bronze in the 50 meter freestyle, finishing the final race in 37.89 seconds.

Culture and Sport Minister Limor Livnat congratulated Pezaro, saying the swimmer “had proved, and not for the first time, that she is a tremendous winner and an ambassador of Israeli sport.”

Pezaro, who is paralyzed from the waist down, took home three silver medals from the 2008 Paralympic Games. The 25-year-old had spinal complications at birth, and started swimming at the age of 12.

Pezaro has won multiple medals at various international competitions, and in 2002 was honored by the state, when she was asked to light one of the six ceremonial torches at the official Independence Day ceremony.