We are incredibly excited to announce that rhythmic gymnasts Monica and Jenny Rokhman, former patients of Forever Smiles and relatives of Dr. Yan Razdolsky, are going to the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro!
These 18-year-olds graduated from high school earlier this year and competed in September in front of more than 10,000 spectators at the World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Team USA was one of 10 countries to secure a spot.
In addition to the Rokhmans, members of Team USA are: Kiana Eide, Alisa Kano, Natalie McGiffert and Kristen Shaldybin.
This is only the second time in history that an American rhythmic gymnastics team has made it into the Olympics. The last time the U.S. competed in group rhythmic gymnastics at the Olympics was at the Atlanta Games in 1996, which is the year the event debuted as an Olympic sport. There, the team earned an automatic host country spot and finished dead last. The fact that Team USA earned its spot in the 2016 games gives everyone hope they will finish better in the 2016 Games.
The team has been on a winning streak this year. It competed at the Pan American Games in Toronto in July and won Team USA’s first Pan Ams gold in group rhythmic competition, winning the six clubs/two hoops final. The group also earned silver in the all-around and five ribbons finals.
Here’s another Forever Smiles connection to the talented Team USA: Their coach, Natalia Klimour, owner of North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Centeris good friends with Anna Razdolsky. The Razdolsky family’s youngest daughter, Marjey, attended this gym for about eight years. Natalia’s son also is a member of our Buffalo Grove orthodontics family, as he is a patient.
“We send heartfelt congratulations to these two talented athletes and their teammates,” Dr. Razdolsky says. “I know they will represent their community and our country well in 2016.”
We hope you’ll join us is wishing Team USA the best of luck as they continue to train for their appearance on the world stage next year. Go USA!
