Israeli Neta Rivkin is the 7th Best Rhythmic Gymnast in the World
This Israeli Athlete is on fire!
Neta Rivkin is the all time best Israeli rhythmic gymnast. She has achieved what no one else has: She won silver medals in the individual hoop competition and in clubs at the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, and a bronze medal in the individual hoop final at the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
Her biggest achievement to date is placing 7th all around in the 2012 London Olympic Games.
London 2012 All Around Final Results
1. KANAEVA Evgeniya 116.900
2.DMITRIEVA Daria 114.500
3. CHARKASHYNA Liubou 111.700
4. GARAYEVA Aliya 111.575
5. SON Yeon Jae 111.475
6. MAKSYMENKO Alina 109.625
7. RIVKIN Neta 109.000
8. MITEVA Silviya 108.950
9. MITROSZ Joanna 108.900
10. RIZATDINOVA Ganna 107.400
A true role model
I am a huge fan of rhythmic gymnastics (I even took classes for a year). Israel's recent successes in the sport have made me very proud and inspired by the Olympians hard work and dedication. Having been in the sport (for a short time) I know how difficult behind the scenes it truly is. Everything leads up to that minute and a half in a glittery leotard and perfected makeup but it really is blood, sweat and tears to get there.
Reading through articles and watching interviews with Neta Rivkin, I was even more inspired--she truly is a role model. The hardworking athlete dedicates her entire life to the sport and her hopes and dreams are all focused on the Olympics. However, she completed the army, like all citizens do AND continued to train (although many times world class athletes are permitted to continue with their training and skip out on it). She represented Israel in the 2008 Beijing Olympics at the age of 17 (!) and placed 14th all around--an incredible achievement. She went through a very difficult time after losing her father to cancer, the person she was closest to.
Watching her interviews on YouTube made me realize this is the true face of strength. Rivkin seems quiet and delicate in her features however her strength in the sport is immense. She knows how to pick herself up after falling. She proved that in her London 2012 qualifications when in round 2 out of 4 she dropped the ball and was placed in 14th place with only the top 10 going to the finals. Israeli journalists dismissed her and said she had no chance.
She proved them wrong.
In her 3rd and 4th rotations of the qualifications she picked herself up and landed in 9th place--heading straight for the all around finals.
Her quiet strength and endurance are an inspiration to us all. We should be looking up to athletes like Rivkin not silly celebrities and TV personas. These athletes are accomplishing their dreams through hard work and dedications overcoming obstacles and hardships along the way. They stop at nothing to reach their goals.
A Short Bio - Who is Rivkin?
Neta Rivkin was born June 19, 1991 in Petah Tikvah Israel. She has been coached from age 6 by Ela Samofalov, who scouted her out in a basketball game. She made her first Olympic appearance in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at age 17 and placed in all around 14th place. She has reached the all around London 2012 all around finals in 9th position.
She dedicated her first medal to her father who passed away--who was her biggest supporter and fan.
She speaks Hebrew, English and Russian.
Rivkin's top achievements - This 21 year old has a lot to be proud of.
- All around finalist in the London 2012 olympic games--places 7th
(was chosen to hold the Israeli flag in the London Olympics 2012 closing ceremony)
- Bronze medal in the individual hoop final at the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Championships.
- She won silver medals in the individual hoop competition and in clubs at the 2011 Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships
- Placed 14th at the age of 17 in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
- In 2012 Season, Neta won the bronze medal in All-around at the World Cup series in Tashkent.
Just for fun.
Did you see Neta Rivkin in the 2012 London Olympic games?
Rivkin is an inspiring individual. - She has overcome hardships to accomplish her olympic dream.
Don't be fooled by their glittery leotards and ribbons. Rhythmic gymnasts are TOUGH. Every move is perfectly controlled; every toss has been done dozens of times. They train long hours; have tough coaches, high expectations and lots of pressure. You need to be mentally as well as physically strong to make it in this sport.
Rivkin has been training since age 6. Training for the Olympics means dedicating 8-10 hours a day to gymnastics. Rivkin is a firm believer in hard work in an interview she said that with hard work and dedication, the sky is the limit, you can achieve anything.
Her father passed away from cancer. He was his daughter's biggest supporter and according to Rivkin "There was no one closer to me that wanted me to succeed as much as him". This was a huge blow for the young athlete--a devastating personal trauma.
However she believes that he is watching over her.
Neta's Story - Rivkin is interviewed for the Olympics.
Rivkin after winning medal in 2011 world championships:
"Words cannot describe what I'm feeling and my joy. I have a powerful desire to bring more achievements to our small and beautiful land."
Neta Rivkin in Action - Some snapshots
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeFor more on Neta Rivkin
- Neta's Wikipedia page
the athletes bio - London Olympics 2012
Rivkin's rankings and results - Rivkin reaches london 2012 finals
Rivkin is among the 10 best gymnasts in the world. - Israel rhythmic gymnasts are in the finals
Strong performances move Israeli gymnasts up the overall rankings on the second day of the competition at the London Olympics. - Neta Rivkin's bronze makes history for Israel
the first world rhythmic gymnastics medal ever won by an Israeli. - Neta Rivkin BBC profile
A short bio. - The full list of the gymnast's results from competitions
Date back to 2007 - more links and information about the olympian
A collection of links. - Neta Rivkin's silver medal in the European Championships is one for the ages.
On Sunday, 20-year-old Neta Rivkin became the first Israeli gymnast ever to win a medal in the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships, held this year in Minsk.