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An Olympic medal event since 1984, rhythmic gymnastics sees
athletes perform exquisite contortions and manoeuvres to music
while using hoops, balls, clubs or ribbons.
Ashram top-scored in the first three apparatus rounds,
surprising the favourites, Russian twins Dina and Arina Averina.
The Israeli ended the competition with 107.800 points, narrowly
beating three-time all-around world champion Dina Averina, who
took the silver with 107.650.
Belarus' Alina Harnasko bagged bronze with 102.700.
The Averinas contested their scores in two rotations but both of
Dina's inquiries were unsuccessful, including one she made after
Ashram was announced the winner.
"I'm so happy that I did it - I came here and did my best," said
Ashram, who sobbed as she was announced the victor.
During qualification on Friday, she fumbled her hoop and was
docked points.
On Saturday, however, she returned with a vengeance, tumbling
and leaping with impeccable control, to win the first rotation
with 27.550 points and kissing her hoop as she walked off the
mat.
Ashram's start held her in good stead. Her strongest performance
came with the clubs as she scored 28.650 to a Beyonce medley of
'Level up' 'Crazy in Love' 'Diva' and 'Run the World'.
Ashram's final rotation was a mixed bag - she dropped the
six-metre ribbon once but her otherwise stellar performance
scored her 23.3 points as she snaked and spiralled to 'Hava
Nagila', which had the Arike Gymnastics Centre clapping along.
(Reporting by Richa Naidu; Editing by Toby Davis)
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