From the Liveblog of
Friday, August 30, 2024
Israeli rower Moran Samuel wins women’s single sculls heat at Paralympics, advancing to final
Amy Spiro is a reporter and writer with The Times of Israel
Israeli rower Moran Samuel wins her heat and sets a new Paralympic Games best in Paris with 9:58.02 in the women’s single sculls.
Samuel is one of just two rowers who advance straight to the final, where they will be joined by four others on Sunday to battle for gold, silver and bronze.
Samuel, at her fourth Paralympics, won a bronze medal in Rio and a silver in Tokyo. The 42-year-old athlete suffered a spinal stroke at age 24 that left her in a wheelchair, and has since become one of Israel’s best-known Paralympians.
In the men’s single sculls race, rower Shmulik Daniel finishes second in his heat and will move ahead to the repechage round, scheduled for tomorrow, aiming for a spot in the final.
Daniel, 39, was wounded in 2005 with a spinal injury while serving in Har Dov during his army service and has used a wheelchair ever since.
