Kobi Leon, served as a combatant with the Egoz Reconnaissance Unit, a Special Operations Infantry Unit specializing in Guerrilla warfare. He fought in Lebanon in 1996.

The IDF Spokesman reported that "An IDF Patrol had been hit by an explosive device". There were casualties, dead and wounded. One of the wounded, Kobi, sustained a spinal injury which would leave him paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

Life changed immediately though it did not stop for one second. There were long periods of treatment and rehabilitation in hospitals both in Israel and abroad, trying to find a cure at the end of which Kobi came to terms with his fate without bitterness nor anger. He was driven by a sense of challenge and curiosity and traveled the world, alone. He studied computer science at Haifa's Technion, married Yafit and they had two children, Roi and Noga.

Kobi began training on hand bikes at Tel-Aviv's Beit Halochem. He won competitions in Israel and abroad and recently, came in 5th place in the World Championship for Hand Bikes (Class A) and set the Paralympic criterion in Israel.

There are different factors which come together to form a successful rehabilitation, these include: time, patience, money, strength, creativity – Kobi invests in these willingly and always with a smile on his face. This sacrifice will get him far. It will certainly get him admitted to life's Olympics, London 2012 is just one stop along the way and hand bikes are just the means to get there. London is waiting for you, Kobi, Chapeau!

By: Ofer Eizenberg (Hand Bike Coach at Tel-Aviv's Beit Halochem)