Israeli Gymnast Artyom Dolgopyat Wins Bronze at World Championships

Israeli gymnast Artyom Dolgopyat secured a bronze medal at the World Championships in the Netherlands on Saturday, adding to his impressive collection of accolades. In an interview following the event, Dolgopyat expressed his joy and excitement about finishing on the podium and representing Israel.

Dolgopyat acknowledged some inaccuracies in his performance, particularly in the final routine, attributing them partly to nerves and a lack of sufficient rest after the European Championships. He explained that specific elements in his routine, the second and fourth passes, had been problematic in training, leading to some difficult landings and a reluctance to practice them extensively. Despite these challenges, he relied on his experience to execute them during the competition.

He mentioned that he prefers not to watch his competitors' performances to avoid external influence, focusing instead on delivering his best. Dolgopyat also reflected on the historic achievement of competing alongside fellow Israeli gymnast Noam in the final, noting it was a significant moment, especially after a previous attempt with Alex Shatilov to have two Israelis in the final did not succeed.

Dolgopyat expressed pride in the current Israeli gymnastics team, highlighting the progress of younger athletes like Noam and the overall strong performance of the national team. Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2028 Los Angeles Games, he aims for continued improvement, both individually and as a team, with a goal of qualifying for the Olympics as a team. He also acknowledged the added pressure he felt to perform well at this championship due to the previous year's political issues that prevented the team from competing in Indonesia.

Dolgopyat concluded by thanking his family, coach Sergei, the coaching staff, physiotherapists, and his sponsors: Volvo, Fujitsu, and Danone Strauss.