Alexander Shatilov
Photo: AFP
Gymnast Shatilov wins bronze in London championships
Alexander Shatilov becomes first Israeli gymnast to ever win medal in London's Artistic Gymnastics World Championships
Israeli gymnast Alexander Shatilov won the bronze medal in the 2009 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on London Saturday.
The 22-year-old won for his floor routine. He is the first Israeli gymnast to ever grace the podium in this championship.
Romania's Marian Dragulescu won the gold medal, while the silver went to current Olympic champion – China's Zou Kai.
Shatilov came to Israel from Uzbekistan in 2002 and has been in the forefront of Israel's achievements in artistic gymnastics, ranking eighth in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning gold in that year's world cup, winning the bronze medal in the 2007 world cup, ranking fifth in the 2007 world championships and coming in seventh in the 2006 championship events.
He also won the bronze medal in the European Championships in Milan in early 2009 and ranked eighth in the all-round competition.
