The Ramla Municipality, the Disabled Sports Association, the Israel Paralympic Committee, the Taekwondo Association, sponsors, family, coaches, masseurs and especially members of training paid tribute today (Tuesday) to Assaf Yasur - the Paralympic Taekwondo World Champion who won gold at the World Taekwondo Championships last month. An unprecedented achievement.
Another person who honored the class was the Paralympic tennis player, Noam Gershuni, the Paralympic tennis champion in wheelchairs from the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
In addition to the gifts, shields, trophies and photos of appreciation that Sasur received, he was informed that his bank account was enriched today by NIS 150,000 and that of his coach, Yehiam Sharabi, by half the amount.
Yasur emphasized in his remarks at the ceremony: "My dream was to get to Tokyo 2020. I went to sleep with it at night and got up with it in the morning. I worked very hard to achieve this goal and it did not happen. I lost it in the last battle on the ticket, in the last seconds by several points. "With a huge sense of failure, but Yehiam believed in me, and two weeks ago, after five tough battles with the best fighters in the world, it happened."
Assaf Yasur receives honor in Ramla, Photo: Danny Maron,
Noa Shamida, CEO of the Taekwondo Association: "This year has proven that what is happening in the taekwondo industry and in this training hall in Ramla has the potential to change worlds and break ceilings. A team that trains in the most professional way, during the most difficult period for achievement sports, under limitations and uncertainty, in difficult conditions and in the absence of appropriate budgets. Despite all this, we ended the year with inspiring and groundbreaking achievements, the greatest of which was an Olympic medal and a world taekwondo world champion. "In a personal address to Assaf, she noted:" How well you joined our family - the taekwondo family This amazing thing is just the beginning of your journey. "
Michael Vidal, Mayor of Ramla: "The mayor does not have many moments when he is excited. This is one of my biggest prides - a small town, a small hall, a small street, a small country - three world champions are sitting here today. There is no such thing. We are going to invest Lots of money and we will invest over NIS 1 million together with the Ministry of Culture and Sports in Taekwondo.
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We are just a point on the map and we are a sports empire. "The mayor also addressed the happy owner directly, noting:" I think you also win the non-Paralympic world champion. "
Olympic medalist Avishag Samberg who trains with Assaf in the gym was moved when she told him: "I am very proud of your achievement. It was clear to us that you will win, but in sports nothing is certain and you have surpassed yourself in every way. I believe you will reach Paris and get there as far as possible. I Believes in you, will continue to work hard and will continue to listen to Yehiam. "
Olympic medalist Avishag Samberg.
She also came to pay tribute to the world champion, Photo: Danny Maron,
Indeed, the one who stood out both in his modesty and in his achievements was national coach Yehiam Sharabi who said: "With Assaf they aimed for Paris even before he succeeded in the world championships. "A strong candidate for a medal in Paris, as well as other fighters among the men, although there I can not name names because another internal battle is expected between them regarding who represented us in the various weights, but there are at least two or three other strong candidates."
Regarding Yasur, Sharabi noted: "I do not see a disability in him. In tactics, every athlete is looked at for his advantages and disadvantages. His own, so they will always have an advantage over him and he will have a hard time and he will not be able to win. I took him for a call and told him that for me this is nonsense. And that is what we are dealing with. "
Yasur also referred to his limitation in relation to his opponents: "Sometimes I say that some of my opponents have cut their nails too deep. But seriously, my coach always tells me: 'With half a hand, with a quarter hand or with four hands ... it does not matter. "We win with all our might. Believe it. It's not a slogan! Believe it in your deepest place. I think I was able to show it."
Referring to how he finished this year, Yasur noted: "We aimed for this competition and prepared for it for three months, we trained with all our might and together with the professional team led by Yehiam did everything possible, we worked hard. In this result. "
Yasur also referred to the changes that came after his return to Israel with the coveted title: "I always believed it would come. I am a big believer in myself and know what I am capable of. I returned to Israel and suddenly waiting for me at the airport, photographers, newspaper articles, public exposure. Even in the professional aspect of taekwondo, after such an amazing achievement.World champion - the best in the world - it's crazy! It gives you confidence and it is reflected even in training here, in battles, it gives a serious boost and tremendous motivation.
Now that he has set a high standard of expectations, he understands what is expected of him.
"My standard of expectations of myself has always been very high. I'm glad it's reflected in this competition. The industry is getting exposure and I'm happy. My eyes are on Paris and everyone will expect me to bring an achievement from there, I hope I get the best I can."
Yasur also does not ignore the part of his coach in the achievement.
"In the professional part, everything is thanks to Yehiam. He leads the way and he trains for me. I am a naughty athlete who needs to be reassured sometimes because he gives too much ... He knew how to reset me and put me in a frame that suits me. This achievement is not even 50:50. "His percentages are higher."
As for the year that has just begun, Yasur sets a very realistic goal: "to become European champion and show my good ability."
Assaf Yasur receives honor in Ramla, Photo: Danny Maron,
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