Sasha’s royal reward at Games
Alexandra 'Sasha' Kiroi-Bogatyreva demonstrated a steely resolve, and incredible self-belief in her ability and preparation, to play a leading role in Australia winning two bronze medals in rhythmic gymnastics at the Commonwealth Games.
THE pressure that comes with debuting for your country at the Commonwealth Games – in front of rows of judges, a packed indoor stadium and a live television audience – may have spooked many freshly-turned 16-year-olds, but not Melbourne’s Alexandra “Sasha” Kiroi-Bogatyreva.
In three consecutive days of competition which she describes as “a time I will cherish forever”, The King David School student demonstrated a steely resolve, and incredible self-belief in her ability and preparation, to play a leading role in Australia winning a bronze medal in the teams event.
She went on to win Australia’s only individual rhythmic gymnastics medal at these Games – a bronze in the ball apparatus final.
And in a magical and completely unexpected moment, the teams bronze medal was presented to her – and to elder teammates Enid Sung (23) and Danielle Prince (25) – by royalty.
“At the ceremony I didn’t realise that Prince Edward was attending as I missed the announcement, so you can imagine my surprise when I looked up to see who was placing a medal around my neck,” Kiroi-Bogatyreva told The AJN on Sunday from the Gold Coast.
“Later I was told that he was actually watching the competition!”
Cyprus won the teams gold medal, and Malaysia silver.
Looking right at home on the big stage, Kiroi-Bogatyreva’s was the top-scorer for Australia on April 11in the ribbon and ball disciplines, delighting the audience with her cheerful personality, entertaining routines and mastery of technique and execution.
That feat earned the Prahran Rhythmic Gymnastics Centre member qualification for the All-Around final the following day, where she finished 10th out of 16, and teammate Sung fourth.
Kiroi-Bogatyreva then saved her best for the ball and ribbon individual finals on April 13, finishing third and fifth respectively.
Her performance in the ball final was described by Channel 7’s commentary team as both “amazing and flawless” for a routine with a high level of difficulty.
A score of 13.250 points was enough to secure bronze, behind runner-up Sie Yan Koi from Malaysia and winner Diamanto Evripidou from Cyprus.
“When I completed my routine I knew that I’d done a good job, but in the ‘kiss and cry’ couch you never know what the judges will decide.”
“When I saw the first two digits [of my score], I nearly jumped out of my own skin!”
In only her first year of competing at senior international level, Kiroi-Bogatyreva said that given her situation, “the bronze medals feel like gold ones”.
She dedicated them to her coaches, and especially to her parents – “my heroes”.
“It was nerve-racking, but my coaches [Kateryna Logachova and Valeria Vatkina] had prepared me for any situation, and the cheers from thousands of spectators is going to be a memory forever.”
“I’d made it this far, so I wanted to go out there and show what I could do.
“I’m overjoyed and incredibly proud knowing all the hard work has paid off.”
Maccabi Australia president Jeff Sher told The AJN “It’s been wonderful to see Alexandra emerging as a talent on the world stage – we are honoured to have supported her journey to elite athlete through the 2016 Rudi Roth Scholarship and 2017 Jewish Junior Sportsperson Awards”.
“Maccabi is so proud of the performances of all the Jewish athletes at the Commonwealth Games”.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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