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First-ever gold medal for Israeli competitor in World Swimming Championships

Competing in the 50-meter breaststroke, Anastasia Gorbenko won with a time of 29.34 seconds.

Israeli swimmer and gold medalist Anastasia Gorbenko. Credit: Israel Olympic Committee.
Israeli swimmer and gold medalist Anastasia Gorbenko. Credit: Israel Olympic Committee.
(Dec. 19, 2021 / JNS)

Israeli swimmer Anastasia Gorbenko made history by winning Israel’s first-ever gold at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Competing in the 50-meter breaststroke, Gorbenko, 18, won with a time of 29.34 seconds. Italy’s Benedetta Pilato came in second with a time of 29:50.

“With perseverance and determination, you have proven how to make history! We are waiting to celebrate with you here in Israel,” said Israel’s Minister of Culture and Sports Chili Tropper, according to Ynet.

Gorbenko, who will compete for her second medal in the 100-meter breaststroke on Sunday evening, qualified for the semi-finals in the event on Sunday morning, with a time of 1:05:47, Channel 12 reported.

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