Sport

SPORTS WEEKLY SPECIAL TOKYO 2020

Dolgopyat strikes historic gold in gymnastics

BY DAVID SAFFER

Israeli gymnast Artem Dolgopyat struck gold in the men’s floor exercise at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The first ever gymnastics medal, Dolgopyat is the second Israeli athlete to win an Olympic gold medal. Gal Friedman won windsurfing gold at the 2004 Athens Games.

Dolgopyat finished ahead of Spain’s Rayderley Miguel Zapata, who took silver, China’s Xiao Ruoteng won bronze.

Both Dolgopyat, who was Israel’s best pre-Olympic hope, and Zapata had an execution score of 14.933, but the Israeli held a higher difficulty level, so took the Olympic title.

Speaking to reporters after the medal ceremony, Dolgopyat said he was “speechless”.

“I’m still in the sky and it’s hard to come down,” he said, thanking supporters in Israel. “I didn’t do my best routine and I was worried it wouldn’t be enough for a medal but everyone else was nervous and made mistakes and it was enough.”

Asked how an athlete celebrates winning a gold medal, he replied, “It’s my first so I don’t know yet!”

Dolgopyat, who scoops NIS 500,000 prize money for his efforts, later added, “I didn’t watch the three gymnasts who came before. I tried to concentrate and not think about anything, I just wanted to do (my routine).”

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett led tributes, interrupting a cabinet meeting to speak with Dolgopyat as ministers applauded the gold medallist.

“Thank you, Artem! You’ve made Blue and White history,” said Bennett. “The win has caused great pride and excitement to all Israelis.” He added, “On behalf of the government of Israel and on behalf of the citizens of Israel, we are all proud of you and look forward to your return to Israel for the celebrations.”

“Artem, you champion, you made history today!” tweeted President Isaac Herzog.

After his victory, Dolgopyat spoke with Herzog on his triumph.

“We are all very excited and I congratulate you,” he said. “We are all looking forward to seeing you in Jerusalem soon. You are a source of pride to many children who will surely follow in your footsteps.”

Dolgopyat told Herzog he did it for the people of Israel and expressed happiness the nation watched him in the final.

Foreign Minister Yair Lapid added that the win was “history in Tokyo!” in a tweet.

Culture and Sports Minister Chili Tropper was “full of appreciation” for “an unprecedented achievement. “Israel’s first medal in the sport and not just any medal, a gold medal!” he said.

“Hopefully for all of us, through Artem’s

unprecedented success, we will be able to further develop the sport and its athletes in Israel,” Tropper added. Dolgopyat, 24, qualified for men’s floor exercise with a first place ranking after a 15.20 score. Artem started gymnastics at six years of age at a local club in Dnipro, Ukraine, following in his father’s footsteps. Dolgopyat’s family moved to Israel and settled in Tel Aviv in 2009 where he stood out at Maccabi Sports Club. Dolgopyat first showed his elite potential with a silver floor medal at the 2017 World Championships in Montreal, Canada. The same year he was a star at the Maccabiah Games and followed up with floor medals in 2018 and 2019 at the European Championships. A silver came at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany ensuring an Olympics spot before gold in floor and bronze in vault at the 2020 European ChampiArtem Dolgopyat PHOTOS: WIKIMEDIA onships in Turkey. Israel’s first medal came courtesy of Avishag Semberg with a historic taekwondo bronze in the women’s 49kg category. Herzog congratulated Semberg, 19, for “making history” and “being an inspiration to many children in Israel”, described her achievement as a “prime example of determination”. Semberg defeated Rokia Yildirim of Turkey 27-22 in the bronze medal winner-taker-all-clash. “I have an Olympic medal at 19,” said a stunned Semberg. “I worked so hard all the ISRAEL’S OLYMPIC ROLL OF HONOUR Yael Arad ...................(Judo SILVER Barcelona 1992) Oren Smadja..............(Judo BRONZE Barcelona 1992) Gal Fridman...............(Sailing BRONZE Atlanta 1996) Michael Kolganov ......(Canoeist BRONZE Sydney 2000) Gal Fridman...............(Sailing GOLD Athens 2004) Ariel Ze’evi.................(Judo BRONZE Athens 2004) Shahar Zubari............(Sailing BRONZE Beijing 2008) Yarden Gerbi..............(Judo BRONZE Rio 2016) Ori Sasson .................(Judo BRONZE Rio 2016) Artem Dolgopyat ........(Gymnastics GOLD Tokyo 2020) Avishag Semberg .......(Taekwondo GOLD Tokyo 2020) Team Israel................(Judo BRONZE Tokyo 2020) way. I withstood the pressure, I believed it would happen.”

“I knew the draw was very difficult,” she added, noting that she “looked (Yildirim) in the eyes and did it. I said to myself, ‘so what if I’m the youngest?’ I will give everything I have. Hope this is not my last medal. It feels like a dream to me.” “I think I should have fun,” Semberg continued, “I worked hard enough all the way and it’s my time to show what I worked so hard on in training and around. Happy I was able to bring it on and withstood the pressure.”

Tropper said Semberg had made the dream a reality in an amazing opening to the Olympics.

“When I met Avishag before the Olympics I saw a modest, ambitious athlete who is willing to do anything to achieve,” Tropper added. “Avishag, we are proud of you.”

Lapid tweeted, “Medal for Avishag! Honour to Israel!!!”

Herzog congratulated Avishag for “making history” and “being an inspiration” to children in Israel.

Bennett said the achievement was a “prime example of determination and the power of will”.

The Israeli mixed judo team also triumphed when they came from behind to defeat Russia 4-1 in the bronze medal bout.

Timna Nelson-Levy, Ori Sasson, Li Kochman, Gili Sharir, Tohar Butbul, Peter Paltchik, Sagi Muki and Raz Hershko ensured Israel have now won a total of 11 medals in its Olympic history.

Sharir lost the opening bout before Muki levelled the tile. Hershko and Paltchik edged the Israelis ahead 3-1 before Nelson-Levy settled the podium spot.

“Everyone here gave their heart and soul and together we did it,” said Muki. “Everyone had a week that was very disappointing on a personal level, but something about this special day led to everyone giving a little more for the team, and that’s what made the difference.”

The judo team made the bronze clash with a 4-2 victory over Brazil in the repechage.

Butbul won only for Sharir to lose to her opponent, Kochman won but Hershko also lost. Paltchik and Nelson-Levy claimed the win.

Israel lost 4-3 to France in the quarter-finals leading 3-1. France eventually took gold.

In the round of 16, Israel defeated Italy 4-3, Sharir winning two bouts, Hershko and Paltchik also won.