Bychenko becomes first Israeli to seal spot at 2018 Winter Olympics

Alexei Bychenko enjoyed an historic weekend – not only qualifying for next year’s Winter Olympics in South Korea – but also recording the best-ever finish for an Israeli man at the figure skating world championships,

Ending the event in tenth place, the 29-year-old qualified for the Games by qualifying for the free skate, with his top-ten finish ensuring Israel will now gain another place in the men’s event in South Korea.

Bychenko represented Israel at the 2014 Sochi Games and won first career medal at a Grand Prix event in November, finishing third at the Rostelecom Cup in Moscow.