Moran Samuel clinches right to represent Israel in Rio; goes for Worlds medal

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Posted In: 07/09/15             

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Moran Samuel secured her place at the Rio 2016 Paralympics on Wednesday, advancing to the final of the arms-shoulders single scull 1,000-meter competition at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France.

Samuel, who is guided by Italian coach, Paula Grizzetti, and trains in Italy and at the Daniel Rowing Center in Tel Aviv, registered a time of 5:20.52 minutes to win her semifinal heat.

“I took the lead from the start and that gave me confidence,” said Samuel, who is targeting a gold medal in Thursday’s final. “I could afford to save energy for the final and I’m very excited because my family was in the crowd and because I have a ticket to Rio.”

Dani Fridman will be aiming to book his place at the Rio 2016 Olympics when he takes part in the men’s single sculls 2,000m semifinals on Friday. Fridman finished his quarterfinal in third place on Wednesday, setting a time of 7:00.57m.

“I’m very happy because I was drawn with some of the world’s best rowers,” said Fridman. “I can feel how all the preparations from the past four years give me the energy and composure to compete.

I’m happy that despite the pressure I gave my all at the decisive moment. I’m going to go all out to reach the final on Friday.”

The Israel team in the mixed coxed four can surprisingly qualify for Rio should it finish among the top two in Thursday’s B final.

Tsofnat Levanon, Barak Hazor, Nissim Nir Mayo and Shay-Lee Shulmit Mizrachi, led by cox Danielle Renny Palatin, are already guaranteed a place among the top 12, but need to finish in first or second place in the B final in order to end the competition in the top eight overall and secure an Olympic berth.