Israeli gymnast Alexander Shatilov on Saturday claimed a bronze medal in the World Gymnastics Championships held in Tokyo, repeating his 2009 achievement.
Shatilov tied for the third place in the floor exercise with Diego Hypolito of Brazil, scoring 15.466 points. He also set the criteria for the 2012 London Games and will represent Israel in the next Olympics.
Shatilov smiling on the podium
Kohei Uchimura of Japan took the gold medal in the floor exercise with 15.633 points. China's Zou Kai came in second with 15.50 points.
The Olympic Committee of Israel is planning a festive reception for Shatilov upon his return, during which he will be awarded a grant of NIS 50,000 (about $13,670). His trainer will receive half the amount.
Shatilov's young age and impressive progress make him one of Israel's most promising athletes in the 2012 Olympic Games.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4135245,00.html
Alexander Shatilov (Hebrew: אלכסנדר "אלכס" שטילוב , born March 22, 1987 in Uzbekistan) is an Israeli artistic gymnast. He specializes in the floor exercise, in which he won several medals at world and European championships, and reached the final at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Alexander Shatilov performs in IDF officers championship, 2008
Click To View Video
Alex Shatilov cemented his place as one of Israel's best medal hopes at next summer's London Olympics on Saturday, claiming a bronze medal in the Floor final at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo.
The 24-year-old Israeli won his second World Championships medal in three years after also taking a bronze in the Floor final in 2009, recording on Saturday a score of 15.466, which also secured his place at the 2012 Olympics.
Shatilov, who also won a silver medal at the European Championships earlier this year, missed much of 2010 through a serious knee injury, but is now clearly back to his very best and is confident of scaling the podium once more in London next summer.
"I'm delighted with this achievement," said Shatilov, who ended Friday's All- Around final in 13th place with an overall score of 87.433.
"I had a flawless exercise and as I was the last to compete I knew the score I had to record to take a medal. I knew that if I get it right I will win a medal and set the criteria for London. I can now relax because my place at the Olympics is secure and I have no doubt that I am well capable of taking a medal in London. I will do whatever it takes so that it will be a golden one," he said.
Kohei Uchimura of Japan took the gold on Saturday with a score of 15.633, with China's Zou Kai winning the silver with 15.500 and Diego Hypolito of Brazil also claiming a bronze with an identical score to Shatilov.
