Kenyan-born athlete Lorna Chemtai bagged the first medal (bronze) for Israel after finishing third in the 42KM race at the World Championship in Oregon.
The bronze medalist is expected to receive Ksh2.6 million ($22,000) as a reward from the World Athletics.
In congratulating the athlete, the Israeli Minister of Culture and Sports, Chili Tropper detailed how Chemtai came to represent Israel.
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"Lonah Chemtai Salpeter was born to a local tribe in Kenya. She arrived in Israel to work as a housekeeper for the consul from Kenya.
“While casually running in the park, someone saw her talent and connected her with a professional running club. From there, she became an Israeli and an elite athlete. A legend comes true," his post read.
Further reports state that during her stay in Israel, she was introduced to Israeli coach Dan Salpeter and the two became a couple. The duo held their marriage ceremony in Kenya but they live in Israel.
Her bronze medal became Israel's fourth medal at the World Championships, following two wins by Aleksandr Averbukh in the pole vault (bronze in 1999 and silver in 2001) and by Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko in the triple jump (silver medal in 2015).
Israel's Prime Minister Yair Lapid was also full of praise for the athlete congratulating her for her history-making performance.
"Lonah's willpower and determination bring pride to Israeli athletics and to the State of Israel as a whole. Lonah, you're a champion!" Yair Lapid's tweet read.
The Israeli Athletics Association noted that Chemtai had joined the list of the all-time top three athletes in the Middle East Country.
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