Olympic Medalist Avishag Samberg and Ivan Denisov Eliminated from Dancing with the Stars

Avishag Samberg, an Olympic medalist, and her dance partner Ivan Denisov were eliminated from the Israeli edition of "Dancing with the Stars" on August 12, 2026, after finishing last in the audience voting. Despite consistently impressive performances and technical skill that earned them high praise and scores from the judges, including 31 points for their final pasodoble dance and a total of 65 points overall, the pair could not secure enough viewer support to continue.

Samberg, who came into the competition with no prior dance experience, revealed a new, softer side on the dance floor contrasting with her tough athletic background. She dedicated herself fully to rehearsals and impressed judges week after week with her progress. The elimination came after a surprise guest challenge featuring her husband, Nimrod Kravitzky, who appeared to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

Reflecting on her journey, Samberg expressed gratitude and joy, saying, "It was an amazing experience, and I really enjoyed it. I want to thank Ivan and the production team. I learned to dance and am happy I got here." Her departure marks the end of a notable run on the show where she demonstrated that athletic excellence can translate into artistic performance.