Whitlock wins gold

MAX WHITLOCK became the first British gymnast to defend a world title when he claimed victory in the men’s pommel at the World Championships in Montreal last night.

The double Olympic champion, who had taken a year out after winning two golds and a bronze at the Rio Olympics, scored 15.441, exceeding his qualification score of 15.300 and easily beating Russia’s David Belyavskiy into silver.

The 24-year-old, who became Britain’s first male world champion on the same apparatus in Glasgow two years ago, matches the five career world medals won by Beth Tweddle and Louis Smith.