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

Avishag Samberg, an Olympic taekwondo medalist, and professional dancer Ivan Denisov were eliminated from the Israeli edition of "Dancing with the Stars" on Wednesday night. Their departure followed a combined decision based on audience votes and judges' scores from David Dvir, Haim Pashtan, and Anna Aronov. Despite Samberg's strong sports discipline and dedication to rehearsals, the transition from martial arts to ballroom dancing proved challenging. Denisov, a seasoned Latin dancer, attempted to guide Samberg from the sharp, physical movements of taekwondo to the fluidity of salsa and other ballroom styles, as highlighted in a viral rehearsal clip where he emphasized the artistic nature of dance.

Their elimination adds to a series of surprising exits this season, the fifth since the show's return to Keshet 12. Recently, singer Eden Golan withdrew due to a shoulder injury, expressing emotional difficulty over her forced departure. Golan, who danced with experienced partner Artyom Liaskovsky, missed two performances, exceeding the allowed one missed dance and thus had to leave the competition. Earlier, the pair of Diane Schwartz and dancer Lotem Madmoni were also voted off despite impressive performances.

This season has been marked by dramatic moments and strong ratings, with a diverse cast including Shiri Maimon, Bar Brimer, Amir Banai, and Noa Cohen generating significant viewer interest. As the competition narrows, the finale is scheduled for Wednesday, September 2, with anticipation building over which couples will advance to the final stage.