Israel Claims 3rd Medal at European Games

Photo: Israeli shooter Sergey Richter

Credit: Jerusalem Post

Israel’s rhythmic gymnastics team won Israel’s third medal at the European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan earlier today.

Snagging a silver medal in the group all-around final was the team of Yuval Filo, Alona Koshevatskiy, Ekaterina Levina, Karina Lykhvar, and Ida Mayrin.

The team earned second place registering a score of 17.7 in the club and hoop exercise and 17.350 in the ribbon exercise, for an overall score of 35.050. The team finished only behind Russia, who barely snuck past the Israelis with a score of 35.300.

The Israeli national team will still have more chances to stand on the podium, with two opportunities this Sunday after also advancing to the group finals in both club and hoop as well as ribbons.

The Israeli team, which was rebuilt last year, is hoping to reach the Olympic all-around final for a third straight Olympics in Rio 2016.

Wrestler Ilana Kratysh took Israel’s first medal in Baku after finishing second in the women’s 69 kg. freestyle competition Monday. Shooter Sergey Richter took bronze in the men’s 10 meter air rifle event yesterday.

“We are proud of what we achieved,” began team captain Koshevatskiy, “but this is now over and it is time to return to training because we still have two more finals on Sunday.”

“We never think about medals, but only about how to put on our best performance.”