Brazil, Korea surprise gold winners

Gymnasts Zanetti and Yang spark joyous celebrations

It was carnival time for Brazil’s Arthur Zanetti on Monday while South Korea’s Yang Hak-seon adopted the London Games’ motto to “Inspire a Generation” as the duo sparked joyous celebrations by handing their nations their first Olympic gymnastics golds.

There were no Samba beats or hip-shaking action to get the crowd going at the North Greenwich Arena. Instead, those clad in green and yellow were left dancing and singing down the aisles as Zanetti snatched gold on the rings ahead of 2008 champion Chen Yibing of China.

So unexpected was his win over Yibing, most fans did not

I’m very happy, it’s the first Olympic medal for Brazil in gymnastics so I’m really happy with this.”

Wiping tears away

Brazil gymnast

even note Zanetti’s shock triumph until there was an almighty commotion in a small corner of the 15,500 capacity arena.

The 22-year-old gymnast rushed into the arms of his supporters the moment his score of 15.900 flashed up while his overwhelmed coach was seen wiping away tears as he realised his charge had pipped Chen by 0.1 of a point.

The victory not only earned Zanetti a gold medal but with Rio hosting the 2016 Olympics, he can expect to be a poster boy for the Games for the next four years. “I’m very happy, it’s the very first Olympic medal for Brazil in gymnastics so I’m really happy with this,” he told reporters after standing on the podium biting into the medal.

Chen, known as the “Lord of the Rings”, has stood on top of the podium at every major competition, bar once, since 2006, winning four world titles and the 2008 Beijing crown.

Bizarrely the only time he failed to grab gold was at the 2009 world championships which were held at the same North Greenwich Arena.

On Monday, he looked con- fident as soon as he completed his dismount. He held aloft his index finger, kissed it and then let out an almighty roar before running off to kiss the red metal frame of the apparatus.

Surprise result

When his score came up, the wagging index finger was on show again, this time accompanied by a wink into camera.

Last up was Zanetti and when he took a hop back on landing, the grin on Chen’s face could not have got any wider.

That is until the final score flashed up.

“I’m surprised he took gold because his landing wasn’t great,” shrugged Chen, who signed off from the international arena after adding a silver medal to his three Olympic golds.

Britain’s Beth Tweddle, 27, grabbed bronze in the asymmetric bars final.