Whitlock so close to Brit of a record

MAX WHITLOCK lost out on making history by the narrowest of margins at the World Gymnastics Championships in Doha – pipped to pommel gold by China’s Xiao Ruoteng.

A tiny error hurt Whitlock, bidding to become the first Brit to win three world titles in a row, as he tied Ruoteng on 15.166 but had a lower execution score.

Olympic champion Simone Biles became the all-time leading world gymnastics championship gold medal-winner as the American claimed her 13th title yesterday.