World Games: Israel’s Atamanov gets gold in Rhythmic Gymnastics

by Larry Brook

(Israel InSight) — Israel’s first medal in the 2022 World Games in Birmingham is gold, as Hatikvah was played in Legacy Arena on July 12.

Daria Atamanov ascended the podium after winning the Rhythmic Gymnastics individual ball competition. Last month, Atamanov became the 2022 European All-Around champion, winning silver in hoop, clubs and ribbon, and bronze in the team competition with Adi Katz.

Katz was injured just before the World Games and had to withdraw from the World Games.

In individual ball, Atamanov placed fifth in the qualifying round, out of 22 athletes. She then rocketed to the gold with a score of 34.900, easily outpacing silver medalist Sofia Raffaeli of Italy, who scored 33.550. Hungary’s Fanni Pigniczki won the bronze.

Atamanov led the scoring in all categories, from difficulty to execution to artistic.

She also competed in individual hoop, placing second after qualifying, but coming in sixth in the finals.

On July 13, she will compete in clubs and ribbon.

Earlier in the day, Israel defeated the Haudenosaunee Confederacy to open the women’s lacrosse competition, 17-10. Birmingham’s Olivia Mannon had two goals for Israel.

Israel jumped out to a 7-3 lead early in the second quarter, but the Haudenosaunee closed to within one at 8-7, before Israel went on a five-goal run well into the third quarter, to lead 13-7.

Israel will face Canada at 10:30 a.m. on July 13, and Great Britain on July 14 at 2 p.m.

In Wushu, Israel’s Anastasia Chiriliuc placed fifth in the five-person field for women’s Taolu Jianshu. In Qiangshu, she placed fourth, but her combined finish was fifth.

Israel has four athletes competing in kickboxing on July 13.