Mcclenaghan the golden boy again but Whitlock insists ‘I won’t obsess about it’

Max Whitlock is not used to losing and insists he will rise to the challenge after watching Rhys Mcclenaghan walk off with gymnastics gold for the second major championships in a row.

The two-time Olympic champion lost out to Mcclenaghan on the pommel horse at the Commonwealth Games in April and a mistake in Glasgow cost him another major title here at the European Gymnastics Championships.

Whitlock, 25, fell off the apparatus midway through his routine, costing him a point, and that proved to be fatal to his chances. He eventually came seventh while Ireland’s Mcclenaghan put together a flawless routine to win gold – adding another twist to their new rivalry.

“I will not obsess about this. I am hoping to do two more Olympic Games and six more years of this sport,” said Whitlock, pictured. “I am hoping to do many more major championships and this is just one of them along the way. I have just got to go back, use this as my motivation and then get better.

“It is one of those days again, hopefully there will not be many more of these when I go to a competition and make mistakes.

“There are positives. I scored 14 with a mark deduction for the fall. I know what I need to work on, it is just one of those days and one of those mistakes.” Elsewhere, Dominick Cunningham answered his doubters by winning gold on the floor.

The Birmingham athlete entered the individual floor final as a medal hope in Glasgow but he left as the new star of British gymnastics following a flawless routine.

“It’s crazy – this is what dreams are made of. Last time I was here, I was in the box watching the competition, now I’m on floor, and I’ve just become European champion,” he said. “I came out with a great floor routine initially and the question was can he still do it the day after and the answer is yes I can. It is not just physically but mentally as well. It was nervous at the end because I knew the best competitors were coming at the end.

“To come away as champion is a bonus.” l SSE are proud sponsors of Scotland’s home of live entertainment and sport – The SSE Hydro - and SSE customers can get up to 48 hour advance ticketing, lounge upgrades and exclusive competitions and experiences. ssereward.com