Yizhar Cohen

Who is Yizhar Cohen?

Yizhar Cohen is an Israeli paralympic swimmer.

Cohen was born in Kibbutz Degania Alef. In 1985 he was injured while serving with the Israel Defense Forces, blinded by a mine. Following his loss of eyesight he began practicing disabled sports in athletics and swimming. Since 1987 he has taken part in international competitions, including six Paralympic Games held between 1988 and 2008. Until 2004 he also took part in four world championships and eight European championships.

Cohen had been swimming in all styles, while today he is focusing on freestyle swimming. In the 1987 European Championship, held in Moscow, he won four gold medals. In the 1988 Summer Paralympics he won three gold medals and one silver. He won further medals at the 1992 Summer Paralympics and the 1996 Summer Paralympics. In the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Cohen was the Israeli flag bearer.

Cohen works as a Shiatsu therapist and is married and father of two.