Assaf Yasur, the severed Israeli fighter who thrilled the entire country with his gold medal at the World Paralympic Taekwondo Championships about two months ago, today (Saturday) celebrated his first medal in 2022 with a bronze in the Albanian World Cup round.
The 19-year-old Yasur, who trains with Yehiam Sharabi and is ranked third in the world, qualified for the semifinals in the up to 58 kg category in the World Cup round competition and lost in a close match to the Turkish Ali Ozkan, whom he defeated last December in the World Championship final.
The Israeli secured his first medal this year thanks to the crushing 8:38 victory in the quarterfinals over the Turkish Mikhail Akai (a bronze medalist in the last European Championships weighing up to 63 kg). He also led in the semi-finals, but lost in the close and dramatic battle.