Asaf Yasur


Asaf Yasur is an Israeli Paralympic champion and world champion para taekwondo athlete. He was world champion in both 2021 and 2023. He represented Israel at the [2024 Summer Paralympics|Israel at the 2024 Paris Paralympics], and won the gold medal in the Taekwondo at the [2024 Summer Paralympics – Men's 58 kg|Men's 58 kg].

Early life

Yasur is from Jerusalem, Israel. He lost both his hands at age 12. He was trying to retrieve a lost ball, when he was accidentally electrocuted by a high-voltage electric cable and suffered injuries that required amputation.

Career

Yasur trains at the Sharabi Martial Arts club in Ramla, Israel, coached by Israeli trainer Yechiam Sharabi.

2019–23

In 2019 Yasur gained his first international medal, achieving second place at the Mexico Para Taekwondo Open Championships.
Yasur won the gold medal in the 2021 World Para-Taekwondo Championships in Istanbul. After winning the 2023 World Para Taekwondo Championships in Mexico, Yasur qualified for the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

2024–present; Paris Paralympics championship

He won a gold medal for Israel at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, competing at 22 years of age. He beat Turkey’s Ali Can Özcan 19-12 in the final of the men’s -58kg weight class. He said: "With everything my country is going through… this is the least I could do for my country," and that he hoped for the return of the hostages from Gaza, an end to the war, and for "all the soldiers to return home healthy and whole."