Eliezer Kalina
Encyclopedia
Eliezer Kalina was an Israel
i paralympic champion.
Kalina began practicing sports at the age of 10. He was a member of Hapoel Petah Tikva youth football team and, simultaneously, a member of the club's volleyball
team. In 1966 he transferred to Hapoel Herzliya
, in which he played until he was injured during the Yom Kippur War
. Prior to the war he graduated from Wingate College of Physical Education and began studying in the United States
.
Kalina returned to Israel to join the IDF
during the war. On 18 October 1973, he was in a half-track
in Syria
n territory. The task they were sent for was aborted and Kalina and his team remained within Syrian borders until they could retreat. The half-track was spotted and attacked. Two of Kalina's team members were killed and his own leg was amputated. During his rehabilitation he studied law, but focused his interest in sports.
Throughout the years Kalina was a member of the IDF veterans volleyball team. In 1974 he established a volleyball team in the rehabilitation center he practiced in, and began serving as its coach. As both player and coach he shared three gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games
. In 1992 they reached sixth place.
Kalina was active in sports until the early 2000s. He also completed MBA studies and a MA in political science, while working for Tel Aviv University
and the Prime Minister's Office
.
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i paralympic champion.
Kalina began practicing sports at the age of 10. He was a member of Hapoel Petah Tikva youth football team and, simultaneously, a member of the club's volleyball
Volleyball
Volleyball is a team sport in which two teams of six players are separated by a net. Each team tries to score points by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules.The complete rules are extensive...
team. In 1966 he transferred to Hapoel Herzliya
Hapoel Herzliya F.C.
Hapoel Herzliya is an Israeli football club based in Herzliya. The club is currently in Liga Leumit and play their home matches at the Herzliya Municipal Stadium.-History:...
, in which he played until he was injured during the Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
. Prior to the war he graduated from Wingate College of Physical Education and began studying in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Kalina returned to Israel to join the IDF
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
during the war. On 18 October 1973, he was in a half-track
Half-track
A half-track is a civilian or military vehicle with regular wheels on the front for steering, and caterpillar tracks on the back to propel the vehicle and carry most of the load. The purpose of this combination is to produce a vehicle with the cross-country capabilities of a tank and the handling...
in Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
n territory. The task they were sent for was aborted and Kalina and his team remained within Syrian borders until they could retreat. The half-track was spotted and attacked. Two of Kalina's team members were killed and his own leg was amputated. During his rehabilitation he studied law, but focused his interest in sports.
Throughout the years Kalina was a member of the IDF veterans volleyball team. In 1974 he established a volleyball team in the rehabilitation center he practiced in, and began serving as its coach. As both player and coach he shared three gold medals and one silver medal at the Paralympic Games
Paralympic Games
The Paralympic Games are a major international multi-sport event where athletes with a physical disability compete; this includes athletes with mobility disabilities, amputations, blindness, and Cerebral Palsy. There are Winter and Summer Paralympic Games, which are held immediately following their...
. In 1992 they reached sixth place.
Kalina was active in sports until the early 2000s. He also completed MBA studies and a MA in political science, while working for Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University
Tel Aviv University is a public university located in Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. With nearly 30,000 students, TAU is Israel's largest university.-History:...
and the Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
.