Inbal Pezaro

Israeli Paralympic Swimmer

Gold, silver, and bronze medalist, Athlete of the Year, and so much more. Inbal Pezaro, age 32, is Israel’s most decorated Paralympic swimmer. Vascular complications during birth left Inbal paralyzed in her lower limbs. However, her parents treated her like other children and offered her swimming lessons at age 6. By age 11 she competed in the national championships. She has won 18 medals in world championships. In addition, she competed in the Athens 2004 Paralympics at age 16, winning silver and bronze medals. She won three silver medals in Beijing 2008, three bronze medals in London 2012, and one bronze medal in Rio 2016. Her most recent win was in August 2018 when she won a gold medal in the European championship held in Ireland. Inbal and the Israeli Paralympic team have already started their training for the Tokyo 2020 games. Sharing her talents, Inbal volunteered in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as a swimming instructor for a naval commando unit. She is about to complete her degree from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya in psychology and business administration. In recognition of Inbal’s achievements, she was chosen as one of the torchbearers at the official State of Israel Independence Day celebration in 2002 and was a torchbearer in the 2009 18th Maccabiah. It is no wonder that in 2007 and 2012, the Israel Sports Association for the Disabled and in 2008 readers of the Jerusalem Post awarded her the title of "Athlete of the Year!"