Natalie Raits
Natalie Raits is an Israeli former group rhythmic gymnast. She won four medals at the 2021 [Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships|2021 European Championships] and represented Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Early life
Raits was born in Eilat, Israel. She began training in gymnastics at age 4.Career
In 2016, Raits came in second in the junior all-around competition at the International Rhythmic Gymnastics Tournament in Corbeil-Essonnes, France.Raits became age-eligible for senior competitions in 2018. She competed at the 2018 World Championships, where team Israel finished in 15th in the group all-around. She competed at 2019 World Championships, where team Israel finished in sixth in the group all-around. There, Israel also advanced to the 5 balls final, finishing fourth, and the 3 hoops and 4 clubs final, finishing sixth.
Raits won silver medals at the 2019 FIG Rhythmic Gymnastics [World Cup series|2019 Cluj-Napoca World Challenge Cup] and at the 2021 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World [Cup series|2021 Tashkent World Cup] in the group all-around. Additionally, she won a silver medal in the 5 balls final at the 2019 Tashkent World Cup. She competed at the 2021 European Championships where she won a gold medal in the 3 hoops + 4 clubs final. She also won bronze medals in the 5 balls, group all-around and team competitions.
Raits represented Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics, alongside Ofir Dayan, Yana Kramarenko, Yuliana Telegina and Karin Vexman. The team advanced to the group all-around final, where they finished in sixth place. She retired after the 2020 Summer Olympics.