The Rhythmic Gymnastics Challenge Cup wrapped up Sunday in Cluj, Romania, bringing further accolades for Israel as Meital Maayan Sumkin secured two more medals—gold and bronze—in individual apparatus events. The competition served as a key warm-up for the upcoming World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, which begin Aug. 20.
Sumkin qualified for all four individual finals and won gold in the hoop event with a score of 29.300. Daniella Munitz, who also reached the final, placed eighth with 25.400.
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Sumkin added a bronze in the ribbon final, earning 27.650 points. She narrowly missed another podium finish in the ball final, finishing fourth with 27.750. In clubs, she placed eighth with 25.700. She was coached by Ayelet Zussman and Julieta Cantaluppi.
Israel’s group routine also posted solid results. The team placed 4th in the five-ribbon final with a score of 24.600, and sixth in the mixed apparatus final—balls and hoops—with 22.450.
The group includes Arina Gvozdetsky, Varvara Slenkov, Maya Gamaliel, Kristina Ilon Tarnovsky and Lian Sukarevich. Coaching staff consists of Zussman, Ella Smapolov and Natasha Stipanova, with 2016 Olympian Ida Mayrin serving as assistant coach and Natasha Asmolov as team manager.