Israeli shooter Doron Shaziri claims bronze at Rio Paralympics
Former IDF sniper’s eighth medal comes day after Moran Samuel wins bronze in 1000-meter single sculls
Sue Surkes is The Times of Israel's environment reporter
Israeli sharpshooter Doron Shaziri scooped up a bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janiero on Monday, for the Men’s R7-50m Rifle 3 Positions. The gold went to Laslo Suranji of Serbia, and the silver was claimed by Abdulla Sultan Alaryani of the United Arab Emirates.
This was Shaziri’s eighth Paralymic medal. He has four silver and three bronze medals from earlier Paralympic Games. He has a chance to add to his haul when he competes Wednesday in the Mixed R6-50m Rifle Prone competition.
The 49-year-old Shaziri served as a sharpshooter in the Israeli army’s Golani Brigade, and completed a sniper’s course with distinction. In August 1987, he trod on a landmine during near the IDF’s post at the infamous Beaufort Castle in southern Lebanon and lost a leg from the knee down.
He went on to set up a business adapting wheelchairs for injured soldiers.
In 2012, he was chosen to carry Israel’s flag into the opening ceremony of the London Paralympics.
Shaziri’s victory came a day after Israeli rower Moran Samuel won bronze in the 1000-meter single sculls.
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