Tokyo (AFP)
Israeli Linoy Ashram ended Russia's impressive domination of rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics by winning the individual event at the Tokyo Olympics on Saturday.
Ashram, 22, won after four rotations (hoop, ball, clubs, ribbon) with a total of 107.800 points ahead of the big favorite, the Russian Dina Averina (107.650 pts) and the Belarusian Alina Harnasko ( 102,700 pts).
The Israeli Linoy Ashram, gold medalist in the individual rhythmic gymnastics event, surrounded by the Russian Dina Averina (l, silver) and the Belarusian Alina Harnasko, on August 7, 2021 at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Lionel BONAVENTURE AFP
The gymnast, vice-world champion 2018 and bronze medalist of the 2017 and 2019 Worlds, offered Israel the third Olympic title in its history, the second of these Games, after that of Artem Dolgopyat, crowned at the beginning of the week Olympic champion in floor gymnastics.
Ashram is also the first non-Russian rhythmic gymnastics Olympic champion since Ukrainian Ekaterina Serebrianskaya, crowned Olympic champion in 1996.
Since 1996, Russia had won all five individual titles and five team titles, a box full of ten out of ten possible titles.
Despite this setback, Russia will be favorites with sisters Dina and Arina Averina (4th in the individual) in the team event of the Tokyo Olympics scheduled for Sunday.
./jr/lrb
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