New Era for Israeli Rhythmic Gymnastics Team
Introduction to the Team
After a notable achievement at the Olympic Games, where they secured a silver medal, the new head coach, Ayelet Zussman, unveiled the fresh lineup of the Israeli rhythmic gymnastics team for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team made its debut on Saturday during the World Cup competition in Baku, finishing fourth overall in the all-around event.
Team Composition
The new squad comprises promising young gymnasts representing Israel: Yael Aloni Goldblatt, Varvara Slankov, Agam Gav, Kristina Ternovski, Kseniya Khodorkovsky, and Arina Gabuzdetski. This competition in Baku marks the team’s first exhibition under Zussman’s guidance, with potential changes anticipated as they prepare for the Olympics in the United States.
Competition Performance
In Baku, the team advanced to the finals of the ribbon exercise, securing fifth place with a score of 20.650, despite some mistakes and coordination issues during the routine. They also reached the final for the combined exercise, finishing eighth with a score of 24.600.
Overall, the team achieved fourth place in the all-around event, accumulating a total of 45.250 points, narrowly missing the podium. They finished behind Ukraine, which came in third with 48.250 points, China, which earned silver with 51.850 points, and Bulgaria, which took gold with 53.400 points.
Individual Competitions
In the individual segments, gymnast Meital Somkin placed fifth in the qualifications for the ball routine with a score of 27.100, qualifying for the final. However, she did not progress to the finals in the hoop, clubs, or ribbon, where she scored 27.300, 26.750, and 26.900 points, respectively.
Alona Tal Franco also qualified for the final in the clubs exercise, placing sixth with a score of 27.350. She finished with scores of 25.600 in the hoop, 26.100 in the ball, and 26.900 in the ribbon, missing the final in those events. In the all-around individual competition, Somkin secured the eighth position with 108.050 points, while Tal Franco placed tenth with a total of 105.950 points.
Future Prospects
As the team embarks on this new journey, Zussman’s leadership and the talents of the young gymnasts offer promising potential for future competitions. With the Olympic Games on the horizon, the focus will be on refining their skills and maintaining a strong competitive edge.
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