Artem Dolgopyat added another remarkable achievement to one of the greatest careers in Israeli sporting history on Saturday, winning bronze in the men's floor exercise at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The 29-year-old Olympic champion claimed his fourth World Championships medal, further cementing his place among Israel's most decorated athletes.
Dolgopyat scored 14.466 points in the final, finishing behind American Frederick Richard, who won gold with 14.633, and Britain's Jake Jarman, who took silver with 14.600. Fellow Israeli Noam Berkovich, competing in his first World Championships final, finished seventh with 13.500 points. The result brought Dolgopyat's career tally to four world medals: two silver, one gold and now bronze.
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Artem Dolgopyat competing in the World Championships final
(Photo: Israel Gymnastics Federation)
The achievement was particularly significant after Dolgopyat was prevented from competing at last year's World Championships in Indonesia, where authorities refused to issue visas to Israeli gymnasts, barring them from entering the country. His return followed another outstanding season in which he captured his third European floor title, bringing his career European Championships tally to eight medals: three gold, four silver and one bronze. He entered the Rotterdam final after placing third in qualification, once again establishing himself among the leading medal contenders.
Perhaps the most unforgettable moment of Dolgopyat's career came on October 7, 2023, when he won the world title in Antwerp, Belgium, as Hamas terrorists carried out their devastating attack on Israel. Despite the tragedy unfolding back home, he delivered a gold-medal performance. During the medal ceremony, he displayed the Israeli flag adorned with black ribbons in memory of the victims, creating one of the most powerful images in Israeli sporting history.
Noam Berkovich competing in the World Championships final
(Photo: Israel Gymnastics Federation)
His Olympic record is equally impressive. At the Tokyo 2020 Games, held in 2021, Dolgopyat became Israel's second Olympic gold medalist with a historic victory on floor. Three years later, he overcame injury and a nerve-racking qualification round in which he advanced to the final in eighth place to win silver at the Paris Olympics. Now, with another World Championships medal secured, he continues to build toward the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
Dolgopyat was not the only Israeli celebrating a milestone in Rotterdam. Under national team coach Sergei Weissburg, Israel achieved an unprecedented feat by placing two gymnasts in the same men's floor final at a World Championships. For Berkovich, competing in his first season at senior level, the achievement was particularly impressive. He qualified seventh with 14.033 points, securing a place among the world's eight finalists.
Just six months earlier, Berkovich had spoken to ynet about the challenges of adapting to senior competition after winning a surprise bronze medal at the World Cup in Croatia in April. He was also recovering from surgery on his hand, making his rapid rise all the more impressive. His seventh-place finish in Rotterdam confirmed his emergence as one of Israel's most promising gymnasts, while Dolgopyat's latest medal reinforced his standing among the country's greatest sporting champions.