Linoy Ashram wins Israel’s first gold in rhythmic gymnastics at Tokyo Games

Ashram finished ahead of ROC's Dina Averina on Saturday

Israel's Linoy Ashram poses with her gold medal during the podium ceremony of the individual all-around final of the rhythmic gymnastics event at the Tokyo Games on Saturday. AFP

Linoy Ashram has won Israel’s first gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics, after completing all four routines at Saturday's final.

Ashram scored consistently highly in each event, topping the field in the hoop and clubs routines, and coming second in the ball and ribbon routines to end Russia’s decades-long dominance in the sport.

It was a contest that came down to the wire as Ashram shared the top spot with Dina Averina of the Russian Olympic Committee team throughout the competition. Averina had topped the field in both the club and ribbons routines and finished second just behind the Israeli in the events she won.

In the end, it came down to points, Ashram finishing with a combined total of 107.800, just .150 ahead of her challenger who took silver. Alina Harnasko of Belarus took bronze.

Ashram, along with compatriot Nicol Zelikman, were both the first Israelis to make it to an Olympic final in rhythmic gymnastics.

The gold is the second for Israel in Tokyo, after gymnast Artem Dolgopyat came in first for the floor exercise last Sunday.