Kiroi tops Jewish medal haul at nationals
EIGHT Jewish athletes competed in the final week of the Australian Gymnastics Championships, including three rhythmic gymnasts who helped earn their state of Victoria at least one medal.
EIGHT Jewish athletes competed in the final week of the Australian Gymnastics Championships, including three rhythmic gymnasts who helped earn their state of Victoria at least one medal.
The standout performer was 15-year-old Alexandra Kiroi in the junior international division who impressed the judges, delighted the crowd and left Melbourne’s Hisense Arena wearing a gold medal [team] and a silver medal [individual] around her neck.
Kiroi, who trains at Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics club with Anna Logachova, 16, and Ommer Yemini, 13 – under coach Kateryna Logachova – earned an all-round score of 52.050 to finish just 0.3 points shy of Queensland’s Lidiia Iakovleva at the Australian Gymnastics Championships.
She also finished in first place in the discipline of clubs, third in ball, equal third in hoops and fifth in ribbon.
Rashelle Feldman from Glen Iris Gymnastics also did well at junior international level, finishing ninth overall out of 36.
Kiroi topped off an amazing week by being named in the Australian Gymnastics Team, and revealed that the road to this year’s nationals “was probably the most intense” for her yet.
She learnt four completely new routines, travelled to four countries to compete in tournaments and spent five of the last 12 months living and training in Russia.
Coach Kateryna Logachova said Kiroi’s execution was very impressive at the Championships.
“Alexandra had some amazingly strong performances and – while there are still some areas for improvement – she definitely has good potential for [qualifying for] the Commonwealth Games,” her coach said.
Jessica Weintraub, who trains at Glen Iris Gymnastics, contributed to Victoria winning silver in the team final at sub-junior international level, and she came 15th out of 20 overall.
Ommer Yemini helped Victoria to second place in the national level nine team final, and came 22nd out of 32 overall.
Anna Logachova, competing in the highest division – senior international – came 15th out of 24.
“I’m very happy with the girls’ performances,” coach Logachova said.
“Next for Alexandra [Kiroi] will be travelling with the Australian team to the Singapore Open [from June 14] and then the Holon Cup in Israel.”
In trampoline action at the nationals, James Mann-Segal came fifth in the final of national U11s and eighth in the U11s double mini category, while Lexie Paul finished 13th.
Guy Rotenberg came fourth in the final of the national U15 trampoline, and sixth in the final of the U15 double mini.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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