Olympics: Zelikman, Ashram advance to final match

 Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 1 & 2 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. Linoy Ashram of Israel in action with ball.  (photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)
Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 1 & 2 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. Linoy Ashram of Israel in action with ball.
(photo credit: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)

The Individual Al-Around qualification rounds for rhythmic gymnastics have begun at the 2020 Olympics, which could put two Israelis in the running for a medal. 

In the second round on Friday, Linoy Ashram scored 28.250 in the first rotation with a ball, coming back strong after her hoop routine yesterday, the highest score yet at the time of her performance. It left her in 17th place. 

Nicol Zelikman scored 25.500 with her ball routine, finishing off in 11th place. 

 Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 1 & 2 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. Nicol Zelikman of Israel in action with ball. (photographer: REUTERS/LINDSEY WASSON)
Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 1 & 2 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. Nicol Zelikman of Israel in action with ball. (photographer: REUTERS/LINDSEY WASSON)

Zelikman came up first in the third round with clubs, earning a score of 24.950. 

 Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 3 & 4 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. (photographer: REUTERS/LINDSEY WASSON)
Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 3 & 4 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. (photographer: REUTERS/LINDSEY WASSON)

Ashram's clubs routine earned her a score of 27.850, bringing her higher in the rankings. 

 Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 3 & 4 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. (photographer: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)
Gymnastics - Rhythmic - Individual All-Around - Qualification - Rotation 3 & 4 - Ariake Gymnastics Centre, Tokyo, Japan - August 6, 2021. (photographer: REUTERS/MIKE BLAKE)

The top 10 ranked gymnasts qualify for the final which will take place on Saturday.