Israel's Linoy Ashram, 22 years old, has been winning medals in World Championships since 2017. Russia has won every Olympic gold medal in this sport for over 20 years, but Ashram has a chance to take the gold in Tokyo.
Russia has won every rhythmic gymnastics gold medal since 2000 but that dominance could be under threat in Tokyo due to the emergence of Israel's Linoy Ashram.
Russian twins Dina and Arina Averina are widely expected to win gold and silver in the individual all-around category in Tokyo, but Ashram is in the form to push them hard.
The 22-year-old, who won six silver and five bronze medals in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 world championships, claimed two gold and one bronze medal at this year's World Cup.
Ashram also took home an individual all-around gold medal at the 2020 European Championships, when many of the leading teams, including Russia, were absent and she was declared this year's all-around World Cup series champion by the International Gymnastics Federation.
"I think she's been knocking on the door for a while. She's been medalling consistently in world cups and she could definitely make an upset," Stefanie Korepin, Chief Programs Officer at USA Gymnastics, said.
"Really for the first time in the last few Olympic Games, Israel has a fantastic gymnast in Linoy Ashram, and I think she is going to be really favored to grab another medal and really challenge Russia," Korepin added.