McLENAGHAN MAGIC

Rhys wins Ireland’s first gymnastics medal with world bronze

IRELAND’S Rhys McCleneghan could not get the better of Max Whitlock a third time – but the Newtownards gymnast is a live Olympic gold medal contender after his brilliant bronze at the world championships in Stuttgart yesterday.

Olympic champion Whitlock regained his title to claim a third world crown on the pommel horse, while Lee Chih-kai of Chinese Taipei also bettered the 20-year-old’s score to win silver. But McCleneghan’s bronze was Ireland’s first-ever medal in the world championships.

McCleneghan had beaten Whitlock at both the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships last year, but he had shoulder surgery after last year’s worlds in Doha.

Now back at his best, this splendid bronze medal in Germany means that he has qualified for next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, where he will expect at least a place on the podium.

Whitlock set the standard in yesterday’s final with a sparkling display to register a score of 15.500.

When McCleneghan’s turn came, he did not bow to the pressure and his celebration after his routine showed he felt he had given his best on the big stage. Agonisingly, it was a fraction short with his score of 15.400 putting him second. Lee then ducked ahead of him with 15.433, but none of the other contenders could stop Ireland’s historic first medal.

‘It feels pretty amazing and to come out here and take a medal home, it makes me very proud to be in that position,’ said McCleneghan after receiving his medal. ‘It was a privilege to be in that final. It just gives me more confidence for the future.’

American superstar Simone Biles equalled the great Vitaly Scherbo’s record of 23 world championship medals as she took the gold in yesterday’s vault final.