Israel’s Paralympic team scored another victory Saturday with men’s tennis player Noam Gershoni taking gold in the singles tournament. Gershoni, 29, beat first-ranked wheelchair tennis player David Wagner of the United States 6:3, 6:1.

Gershoni served as an IDF pilot. He was badly wounded in a helicopter crash during the Second Lebanon War.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called him to congratulate him on his victory. He told Gershoni that he had been “very excited” by the win.

“You symbolize the triumph of the human spirit over the difficulties created by the reality we live in,” he said.    

President Shimon Peres called as well. “You gave the country and the nation an exciting surprise,” he said. “You’ve proved that you’re just as good on the court as you are in the skies – talented from Apache to tennis.”

Gershoni and tennis partner Shraga Weinberg previously earned a bronze medal in the men’s doubles tournament.

The Israeli Paralymic team has won seven medals in total. Swimmers Inbal Perzaro and Itzchak Mamistvalov won a total of three bronze medals. Cyclist Kobi Leon won another, and yet another went to shooter Doron Sharizi.