Achievement in the World Championship gives me an appetite for a new season • I love competitions, before the start of every exercise, I say in the heart of "Hear Israel, God our God, One God"
Every place in the Olympics is respectful. Ashram // Photo: Eric Sultan
In recent years, I have entered public awareness. I think it started from two bronze medals at the 2014 European Youth Championship. Today I already recognize the street. Sometimes I like it, and sometimes less. I'm glad there's an awareness of the artistic gymnastics industry that compliments me, but in the end, I'm not one to like the limelight outside of competitions.
On the surface I look strong, tough. That's where it's easiest for me to express myself, much more than speech. In reality, I'm completely different. Seems fragile, shy people don't like to talk much.
At 13, I got sick and retired. I remember suddenly not understanding why I needed it all. I deserve to be someone else. I decided I would go for a swim, but after a month with them I had to be in the water all day. I felt something was missing, that was not what I wanted. So I came to my mom and cried for her to take me back to gymnastics.
My parents didn't press me at any point in my life. Exercise is not their dream, but mine. They support me and strongly believe in me. My father's studies were important. He wanted me to do everything, until he saw what my success and accomplishments entailed. I finished eighth grade at school, and by ninth grade I had already studied alone, with private teachers.
I'm going through a tough agenda. Wakes up at 6:30 in the morning, eats a light meal and goes to Hadar Yosef. I start my training at around eight and a half running in the gym or on the ski device while watching Israeli series. From there I continue to the gym, do warm-ups, stretch the body, and then start working on the exercises. My training day ends at 9 p.m. I don't think about my bedtime competitions, I never dream of gymnastics.
Every workout is a story. Less good training annoys me, doesn't affect me well. I don't like something that doesn't work for me. I won't let the device down if I can't take it all the way.
Achieving a World Championship gives me an appetite for new exercises, a new season, new competitions. I really like competitions. Before each exercise begins, I stand in the opening position, say heartily, "Hear Israel, the Lord our God, the One," and wait for the music to begin.
My parents come to see me in big competitions. it makes me happy. They do not tell me that they are about to arrive, as if to surprise me, though I always know when they will come and when not.
I hang the medals from abroad I hang on the walls in the room, because they are special and different from each other. I keep the medals from Israel, which look pretty similar.
I try not to think about the Olympics, but focus on the very near term. For me, every place in the Olympics is respectful. Not just the top three places. Even without a medal, participating in the Olympics would be a great honor.
Lino Ashram (20) was born and raised in Rishon Lezion, and began practicing artistic gymnastics at the age of 7. Has participated in international competitions since the age of 12. In 2018, she received the title of world champion in a major battle, and became the first Israeli to win a medal in a world championship battle. In the last two World Championships she has won 11 medals - six silver and five bronze. Won dozens of other medals in the international round competitions, including 3 gold medals in a major battle. Became a symbol of female and sporting success and is considered Israel's greatest female hope in the Tokyo Olympics.
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