I learned two things watching rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram receive her gold medal. I suddenly realized what it feels like for those watching the competitions, including the one I took part in, at home. The excitement was immense. I admit, at times, I felt more nervous than I did during my own performance, so much so that I held my breath while waiting to learn Russian gymnast's Dina Averina's score and the color of Ashram's medal.

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The other thing I learned while watching Saturday's competitions is that hard work brings results. Although Russia has dominated Ashram's field, it was an Israeli gymnast that moved us and the entire country, filling Israelis with joy and proving the sky is the limit.

From the moment the final score determined Ashram would take home the gold medal, the joy that took over me knew no limits. I congratulate Ashram on her achievement. I am so happy for her and her coach Ayelet Zussman, whose role, along with that of the Israeli Gymnastics Federation in going from zero medals to two – both of them gold – at the Tokyo Olympics. It's hard to describe in words what this achievement means for the federation. Who would have thought Israel would win two gold medals?!

I hope Ashram enjoys the medal and everything that comes with it. Having had an opportunity to get to know her much better after spending time with her at press junkets and at the gym last year, the fact that she was the one to take home gold makes me particularly happy. I assume and hope Israeli gymnastics makes the most of these two medals and that this is only the beginning of a long tradition of great achievements in gymnastics on a global scale.

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In an interview with Israel Hayom following the Israeli rhythmic gymnast's historic Olympic win, Linoy Ashram's coach Ayelet Zussman said, "It's really unbelievable because beyond the history we made with two gymnasts in the finals, it's history to be standing up there on the Olympic podium, it's beyond anything I could have imagined."

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As for her relationship with Ashram, Zussman said: "I am both a coach and a friend, and I both demand and embrace, and I get angry and give kisses. It depends on the situation, but my love for her is unconditional."

Asked what about Ashram made her an Olympic champion, Zussman said: "Her ambition, competitiveness. She works very hard. She's overcome injuries she's been dealing with for years. This wasn't someone who was an underdog. She's been winning medals since 2017."

As for Ashram's final ribbon performance, she said, "It's important for there to be something unique about each routine. The choice of music was precisely for this moment, and the choice of [the song] 'Hava Nagaila' was very important.

"She did everything so well on the path to [hearing the Israeli] national anthem [play in the Olympic arena], and I am so happy," she said.

Ashram's family members were clearly emotional in a phone call with the gymnast immediately after her historic win.

Her mother, Hedva, said: "You did it. I always believed in you.

In a reference to the legendary retired Romanian five-time Olympic gold medalist, she said, "I always said you would be Israel's Nadia Comaneci."

"Congratulations! We're so proud of you. All of us here, we're crying too," Ashram's father, Oren, informed her in their call.

Powerhouse rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram won the gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics individual competition, ending Russia's decades-long dominance in the sport and bringing Israel its second Olympic gold medal.

Ashram, 22, edged out Russian twins Dina and Arina Averina, who were favorites going into Tokyo. Dina placed second and Arina fell to fourth place. Alina Harnasko of Belarus won the bronze medal.

Her nearly flawless performance included a club routine set to Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" and dancing with a ribbon to a techno remix of "Hava Nagila."

She is set to receive a 500,000 shekel ($155,380) grant from the Israeli Olympic Committee for her achievement.

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Israeli rhythmic gymnasts Linoy Ashram and Nicol Zelikman both qualified Friday in the Tokyo Olympics qualifying round, earning their spot at Saturday's final round in which they will vie for an Olympic medal.

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The two athletes performed four routines each – hoop, ball, clubs and ribbon.

Ashram's first round had a shaky start. The gymnast dropped her hoop at the end of the routine, and received a lesser score of 23.500 points.

She made a comeback with her ball routine, scoring the highest 29.250 points. She received 27.850 and 23.500 points for her club and ribbon performances respectively, gaining 103.100 in the qualifiers altogether. She ranked third in Friday's qualifiers.

Zelikman started off her hoop routine strong and received 24.350 points. She scored 25.500 point in her ball routine, 24.950 in the clubs and 21.100 in the ribbon routine. Altogether, she scored 95.900 and ranked seventh in the qualifiers.

Both athletes made it into the finals and will compete for an Olympic medal on Saturday.

So far, Israel's Olympic team has won three medals: Gymnast Artem Dolgopyat won Israel's second-ever Olympic gold medal, the judo team won bronze on Saturday, and taekwodnoin Avishag Semberg won bronze.

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On Sunday, Ashram scored 22.500 points for her ball routine, taking her first gold of the competition. Half an hour later, she won a second gold for her clubs performance, racking up 22.700 points.

The gold medals marked a successful end to a day that began on a sour note. In her individual hoop routine, Ashram scored only 15.900 points, earning sixth place.

Ashram is still considered a strong contender to represent Israel at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

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