Israeli newspaper Ynet celebrated his Croatia win on the front page of its sports section with the headline, “The greatest in history.”
Dolgopyat won gold in the Tokyo 2020 games - only the second Olympic gold medal in the nation's history - and silver in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He has a gold and two silver World Championships medals under his belt – in 2023, 2019 and 2017 respectively.
He also won European gold three times, in 2020, 2022 and 2026, as well as four European silvers, in 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024.
Israel Gymnastics Federation chairman Avi Sagi congratulated Dolopyat on his win in Zagreb, saying that he “proves once again that he is made of the stuff that great champions are made of”.
The gold in Croatia came after a demanding week, Ynet reported. As well as competing on the floor, Dolgopyat took part in the all-around event and helped Israel finish 10th as a team, securing the team qualification standard for the World Championships.
“I’m already at an age where the performances are harder for me, especially after competing in the all-around. Recovery is difficult, so my routine in the final was less good,” Dolgopyat said after the victory.
“I’m 29 and I have to compete against younger rivals who do things I can’t do anymore.”
The Ynet sports cover featuring Artem Dolgopyat above the headline 'The greatest in history'[Missing Credit]
Dolgopyat, who immigrated to Israel from Ukraine as a child, added: “I know I’m still at the top and I proved it again, otherwise I wouldn’t be competing.”
Referring to the moment he was given the medal at the podium, he said: “For me, hearing Hatikva again and again is the greatest thing there is.
“The next important target of the season is the World Championships in Rotterdam in two months. There’s no time to recover. We’re already starting preparations.”
Artem Dolgopyat competes at Olympic Games Paris in 2024 (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)Getty Images
The next major goal after that will be Los Angeles 2028, which would be his third Olympics. Israelis wait with bated breath.
