Adam Berdichevsky

Started: He began in 2012 at age 29 at the Ilan Sport Center for the Disabled [ISCD] in Israel, five years after losing his leg due to injuries he sustained when he was caught on a sinking ship. "I was doing a year-long trek in Australia and New Zealand in 2007 with my wife Hila. At the end of the trip we flew to Thailand. Four days before the return flight to Israel, we were on a ship when a storm happened. The ship began to sink and I was being pulled into the motor. I tried to save Hila, but in the end, I couldn't save myself. After the injury, I was on the verge of giving up, but things have only improved. One of my legs was saved and I can walk with prosthesis." (Athlete, 03 Aug 2016; ynetnews.com, 01 Sep 2016) Reason: "I really love sports. I always dreamed about playing professional sports. When I realised that I was going to survive, I took every opportunity." (ynetnews.com, 01 Sep 2016) Awards: He and goalball player Lihi Ben David were chosen as flag bearers for Israel during the opening ceremony at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (thejc.com, 09 Aug 2024; timesofisrael.com, 05 Aug 2024)