Spotlight of #ECtlv2022 on Israel’s protagonists Daria Atamanov and Adi Asya Katz

With just one week to go, the tension is building up for Israel’s two senior Rhythmic gymnasts, Daria Atamanov and Adi Asya Katz. At 16 and 18 years old respectively, both are members of the Israeli National Team and are looking to step into the spotlight created by recently retired Olympic Champion Linoy Ashram.

 

Let’s get to know these wonderful ladies!

 

 

How and when did you start Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Adi: When i was 4 i went to a recreational class in gymnastics where Lena Zelikman coached, and she told my mom that i have talent and should move to Maccabi Tel Aviv club. I moved when I was 6 and I've been there ever since.

Daria: I started Rhythmic Gymnastics at 7 at Hapoel Ramat Eliyahu Rishon LeZion club. I used to dance before that, and as part of the dance classes we learned how to do splits and bridges which I liked, and I was also flexible, so my coach told me there’s a Rhythmic Gymnastics club near us which could fit me. I was already aware of the sport. My grandfather was an athlete, so during the summer vacation, before I started training in RG, I used to watch the Olympics with him, and that’s how I got familiar with the sport.

 

What made you fall in love with gymnastics?

Adi: Seeing girls doing special elements which others usually can’t do, working with the apparatus, the elements, the combination of music - all of that. Also, when I watched the Olympics I got excited and wanted to do that as well.

 

What’s the most difficult thing?

Daria & Adi: The mental side, alongside the physical aspect, to beat yourself when you’re tired. But we always see our goal in front of us and it gives us motivation to keep going.

 

What’s your favourite skill of all time ?

Daria: Fouette turn

Adi: Penché turn

 

How much time do you invest in Rhythmic Gymnastics (training, competing, etc)?

Adi & Daria: We train for 8-10 hours per day, 6 days a week. Other than that we have competitions abroad that we travel to from time to time.

 

How would you explain Rhythmic Gymnastics to people who don’t know it?

Daria: an elegant and artistic sport that combines music, flexibility, elements with apparatus… It's a combination of many layers and techniques.

 

Why should the public come and watch a competition?

Adi & Daria: following the previous answer, a combination of all the above is what makes this sport interesting and pleasant to watch. Also, there are elegant, glittery clothes, interesting music, and in general everything is very colorful and special.

 

How will the atmosphere in Tel Aviv be?

Adi: We expect it to be warm and welcoming. At the 2016 Europeans we came to watch as an audience and the atmosphere was crazy. It felt like everyone in the crowd was cheering, spreading energy. It was very exciting and that's exactly what we expect this time around, that the cheering will give us energy and help us succeed.

 

Who inspired you as a young athlete?

Daria: Linoy Ashram. We come from the same club, so I used to train near her at the gym. I saw how hard she worked and how it was all worth it at the end.

Adi: Linoy, and also Neta Rivkin, who used to train in my club when i was young. She inspired me.

 

If you were to train and compete within any other sport, what would it be?

Daria: Acrobatic Gymnastics.

Adi: I actually never thought about it. Maybe Ice Skating.

 

What would you still like to achieve in Rhythmic Gymnastics? And in life?

Daria: I think that every athlete’s goal is the Olympic Games. When I grow up I'd like to be a physical therapist.

Adi: I’d like to study Biomedical Engineering when I'm older.

 

What are your hobbies / interests outside of gymnastics?

Adi: I don't have too much free time these days. When I do, I usually study and do school work.

Daria: When I was younger and had free time, I loved drawing.

 

What are you most proud of in your life?

Adi: I competed at the first ever Junior World Championships, I did clubs and ribbon. It was a new competition and I didn't know what to expect. I ended up winning Silver in ribbon and Bronze in clubs.

Daria: 2020 Junior Europeans. It was my first time competing in such a big competition, and I finished first in clubs. I also won Silver in rope and Bronze in ribbon.

 

What are your expectations for Tel Aviv ? For yourself and your teammates?

Daria & Adi: We want to do the best that we can, enjoy the whole event and bring respect to our country.

 

How do you feel about competing ‘at home’ in such a big event ? Does it add pressure ?

Daria: I would say it adds excitement, not pressure. We have not competed in such an event at home yet so it’s a different kind of excitement than in competitions abroad. We are looking forward to seeing the Israeli crowd cheer for us.

Adi & Daria: We would also like to thank our coaches at this point - Ayelet Zussman and Ella Samofalov, as well as the Israeli Gymnastics Federation and Wingate Institute.

 

Thanks ladies! We wish you all the best next week!