Israeli figure skater Bychenko claims historic medal at Euro championships
27-year-old registers result of 158.47 points in men's free program, finishing with 242.56 points overall to clinch silver medal.
By ALLON SINAIUpdated: JANUARY 28, 2016 23:39Israel's Alexei Bychenko operforms during the men's free program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championship in Bratislava, Slovakia, January 28, 2016(photo credit: REUTERS)
Alexei Bychenko became the first Israeli to claim a medal at the European Figure Skating Championships on Thursday night, finishing in second place in Bratislava, Slovakia.The 27-year-old registered a result of 158.47 points in the men's free program on Thursday, finishing with 242.56 points overall to clinch a silver medal. Reigning world champion Javier Fernandez of Spain won his fourth consecutive European title with a result of 302.77 points.Bychenko was fourth in last year's Europeans and ended the World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China in 17th place in 2015.He also represented Israel at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, finishing in 21st place.Bychenko's triumph on Thursday also secured his place at the world championships in Boston in two months time, finishing ahead of 17-year-old Israeli Daniel Samohin, who was seventh overall with a result of 232.08 points.