Israeli rhythmic gymnast earns four medals in European championship

Israel is basking in the accomplishments of its homegrown gymnast Linoy Ashram who won two gold and two silver medals at the European Games in Minsk over the weekend.

Ashram, 20, is a favorite to medal in next year’s Summer Olympics in Japan. This weekend, the rhythmic gymnast took gold medals in the balls and clubs competitions and silver in ribbons and Women’s Individual Multiple Competition in Belarus.

This follows a stellar year for the Israeli. Last year Ashram three medals at the Rhythmic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup, setting a world record in the clubs event. She then finished second in the world championships, the best ever performance by an Israeli. And earlier this year, she won three gold medals at the Grand Prix Marbella in Spain.

The Israel Olympic Committee was expecting to leave Minsk with up to seven medals. Ashram alone brought the Jewish state more halfway to that goal. Sergey Richter earned a gold medal on Monday in air rifle shooting and Li Kochman won a silver in judo bringing Israel’s medal total to six already with five days of competition yet to go.