IZBASA WINS VAULT

Largely considered a lock for the vault gold medal, American McKayla Maroney gave away the Olympic title when she sat down a Mustafina (half on, layout full off), allowing Romania's Sandra Izbasa to narrowly surpass her.  Russia's Maria Paseka won the bronze.

Maroney's first vault was a dynamic Amanar with just a small hop and an out of bounds deduction (15.866), but that number was neutralized by the 14.3 score given for her failed Mustafina.  Maroney's average of 15.083 put her in first place, with only Izbasa still to vault. 

The veteran Izbasa took advantage of Maroney's mistake, performing a clean Mustafina vault in her first attempt (15.383; slight knee bend).  She followed with a lofty double-twisting Yurchenko, which she landed with a hop.  The score of 15.0 for her second effort gave her just enough to squeak past Maroney. 

Despite showing obvious defeat, Maroney says she was still proud to come away with an individual Olympic medal. "It's not the silver medal that I'm disappointed about. It's my performance that I'm disappointed about." 

Third-place Paseka was not without her own errors, as she again stepped off the side after an Amanar attempt.  A clean second vault (half on, layout 1/2 off; 15.05 average) helped her overtake fourth-place Janine Berger. 

Berger took several steps following her Rudi, but improved on the landing of her double-twisting Tsukahara second vault (15.016).  

Berger's German teammate, Oksana Chusovitina, failed to win a vault medal in her final Olympics, giving away too many marks in execution on her vaults.  The first, a Rudi, she performed with loose leg form and chest down on the landing.  Her 1 1/2-twisting Tsukahara was clean in the air, but an uncontrolled step forward kept her down in fifth place (14.783). When asked if she would continue onto Rio 2016, she laughed and said that she would not. 

Yamilet Peña sat down her handspring-double front to kill her medal chances, while Canada's Brittany Rogers didn't have enough difficulty in her vaults to contend.  

Ellie Black had a rough go, crashing her Rudi vault for a score of zero before opting to forego a second effort, nursing a sore ankle. 

Quotes:

"I felt it right away when I didn’t get my full block. I don’t think that has to do with anyone feeling like I was the one to get the gold medal. That’s how it was at worlds; everyone thought that I was going to be able to to get gold and I did. It doesn’t have anything to do with that (people's expectations). It happens, it’s gymnastics, and you can’t be perfect. And sometimes things don’t go as you planned, but I wouldn’t blame it on anything else other than, just... I messed up."
- McKayla Maroney 

"After I knew that I was pretty much going to get the silver medal. I don’t deserve to get a gold medal if I fall on my butt." 
- McKayla Maroney 

1. Sandra Izbasa (ROU)- 15.191

2. McKayla Maroney (USA)- 15.083

3. Maria Paseka (RUS)- 15.050

4. Janine Berger (GER)- 15.016

5. Oksana Chusovitina (UZB)- 14.783

6. Yamilet Peña (DOM)- 14.516

7. Brittany Rogers (CAN)- 14.483

8. Ellie Black (CAN)- 0.000

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The 2012 Olympic Vault FINALISTS with their qualification scores:


1. McKayla Maroney (USA) - 15.80 
15.90 (6.50/9.40), 15.70 (6.10/9.60)

2. Sandra Izbasa (ROM) - 15.316
15.50 (6.10/9.40), 15.133 (5.80/9.333)

3. Maria Paseka (RUS) - 15.049
15.533 (6.50/9.033), 14.566 (5.60/8.966)

4. Oksana Chusovitina (GER) - 14.808
 15.033 (6.30/8.833), 14.583 (5.50/9.083) 

5. Yamilet Peña (DOM) - 14.699
14.933 (7.10/7.833), 14.466 (5.80/8.666)

6. Janine Berger (GER)- 14.483
14.133 (6.30/7.833), 14.833 (6.0/8.833)

7. Brittany Rogers (CAN)- 14.483
14.666 (5.80/8.866), 14.30 (5.60/8/70)

8. Ellie Black (CAN)- 14.366
14.80 (6.30/8.50),  13.933 (5.20/8.733)

Reserves: Giulia Steingruber (SUI), Nastassia Marachkouskaya (BLR), Phan Thi Ha Thanh (VIE)

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How to advance to event finals
The top eight gymnasts based on scores from prelims will advance to event finals. However, only two gymnasts per country may advance. For vault, a gymnasts must compete two vaults from different vault families in order to be eligible for vault finals. Their two scores are averaged. 

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - McKayla Maroney (USA)

Past Olympic Vault Champions:
2008 - Hong Un Jong (PRK)
2004 - Monica Rosu (Romania)
2000 - Elena Zamolodchikova (Russia)
1996 - Simona Amanar (Romania)

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2012 Olympic Medal Contenders: 


McKayla Maroney, USA
The defending World Champ has upgraded her second vault and has distanced herself from the field. 


Oksana Chusovitina, Germany
She's back for more! Competing in her SIXTH Olympic Games. She's the defending silver medalist on vault from both the 2011 World Champioships and 2008 Olympics. Can she win another medal at age 37? 


Sandra Izbasa, Romania
Back from a torn achilles tendon in 2009, the Beijing Floor gold medalist will look to win her first Olympic vault medal, carrying the momentum from winning the vault at the past two European Championships. She vaults a double twisting yurchenko (5.80) and a Mustafina (6.10). 


Yamilet Peña, Dominican Republic
Peña has been known to take enormous risk by throwing a rare handspring double front vault, the most difficult vault ever to be competed by a woman. This vault carries a huge 7.10 D score, the highest of the field. Pena stood it up in the qualifcation round to advance to the Finals. However, she has not been consistent with this vault. During last year's World Championship Final she failed to put the vault to her feet, scoring a 0.0. Pena's second vault is a double twisting yurchenko which scored just 14.466 in qualifications. 

Janine Berger, Germany
A surprise this year has been Germany's Janine Berger, who beat Chusovitina at the 2012 German Championships on vault.  Capable of a high-flying Rudi and Tsukahara double full, Berger could be a spoiler in London.


Ellie Black, Canada
Canada's medal hopes this year may rest in the legs of Ellie Black, the country's top vaulter.  After having success on the World Cup circuit in 2012, Black will need to tidy up her form to contend with the top vaulters.

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MORE EVENTS:

WAG:   Team     AA     VT     UB     BB     FX

MAG:   Team     AA     FX      PH     SR     VT     PB     HB

Women's All Around Final
 2012 London Olympics - Thursday, Aug. 2 - 11:30 a.m. ET

American Gabby Douglas takes the Gold. Russia's Komova and Mustafina grab silver and bronze.

Read the full RECAP here. 

UPDATE: Iordache Slated to do All Around



UPDATED 7/28, 2:40 ET

While her status has been surrounded in doubt throughout the week in training, Romania's Larisa Iordache is slated to compete all four events on Sunday in the women's qualifications, according to the official start list released earlier today.

 Iordache hasn't trained full difficulty on vault or floor in London thus far, but yesterday the Romanian press reported that she was doing "very well."  

That news came as a sharp improvement from Thursday, when Romanian gymnastics coach Mariana Bitang told NBC Olympics that Larisa Iordache has a "50-percent chance" of competing all-around at Sunday's women's qualifications round.  Iordache is suffering "fasciitis" in her left foot, a painful injury caused from the inflamed tissues in the plantar fascia, the thick tissue which connects the heel bone to the toes and creates the arch of the foot.  

Event History

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - Jordyn Wieber (USA)

Past Olympic AA Champions:
2008 - Nastia Liukin (USA)
2004 - Carly Patterson (USA)
2000 - Simona Amanar (Romania)
1996 - Lilia Podkopayeva (Ukraine)

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Event Preview

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders



Jordyn Wieber, USA
Defending World Champion Jordyn Wieber goes into London as the all-around favorite.  A resilient competitor, Wieber rarely misses.  A key in London will be hitting her weak event, the uneven bars, and sticking a difficult beam routine.


Larisa Iordache, Romania
In 2012, first-year senior Larisa Iordache has emerged as a serious contender for all-around gold in London.  With brilliant routines on beam and floor, Iordache is also training the Amanar vault, in an effort to beef up her D-scores and overcome her relative weakness on uneven bars.


Viktoria Komova, Russia
After losing the 2011 World title by less than .1, Komova will be hungry for gold in 2012.  With the potential to score well on every event, Komova will have to put four hit routines together in London to win gold, a feat she has not accomplished too often this year.


Gabby Douglas, USA
Having beaten Wieber at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Douglas is on the rise in 2012.  Douglas can score high on every apparatus and boasts the highest all-around score of the year (62.05).  Her only downfall is a tendency to lose focus on balance beam.  If she hits in London, she'll be hard to beat.


Yao Jinnan, China
The reigning all-around bronze medalist, Yao Jinnan will need to upgrade her routines on vault and floor to contend with the best.  Heavily relied on by the Chinese team, endurance will also be a factor for her in London.


Aliya Mustafina, Russia
The World Champion in 2010, Mustafina's ACL tear in 2011 slowed her dominance.  She has been slow to regain form on all four events, but has been planning to peak in London.  A fierce competitor, Mustafina will aim to pull off an unlikely win at the Games.

'Flying Dutchman' Prevails!




"The Flying Dutchman" lived up to his nickname, as Epke Zonderland dazzled the crowd with a release sequence of Cassina-Kovacs-Kolman to win gold in the Olympic high bar final.

With the audience behind him, Zonderland capped his routine with a beautiful stuck double-twisting double layout dismount to score a huge 16.533.  The gold is Zonderland's first Olympic medal.

Germany's Fabian Hambuchen performed an elegant routine for silver (16.4), one place higher than he finished in Beijing.  In his third Olympics, Hambuchen competed a textbook Kolman.

China's Zou Kai fell just short of a sixth Olympic gold, completing his haul with a bronze (16.366).  His huge difficulty score could not overcome his execution errors, with messy form throughout and a step on the dismount.

Teammate Zhang Chenglong just missed a medal, executing an intricate routine and fighting to hold a clean landing on his dismount (16.266).

Americans Danell Leyva and Jonathan Horton could not compete with the top gymnasts, despite hitting their routines.  Leyva scored a 15.833 for fifth, while Horton was just behind in sixth (15.466).

Russia's Emin Garibov's routine only scored well enough for seventh place, but his perfect form and smooth swing was a highlight of the final (15.333).

Last to go, Kim Jihoon of South Korea had a lovely routine going, until nearly falling on his dismount.  

QUOTES

Olympic Champion Epke Zonderland:

On his overall performance:
"I was just in my own world, focusing on my own routine. I didn't know anything about the routines of the other gymnasts, so I didn't knew which score I needed to get a medal. I was just concentrating on my own routine. My routine wasn't that easy, but I sticked my dismount. I lost some points on my flight elements, so I didn't want to lose other (tenths of) points on my dismount. It was easy to stick my dismount though, it was a big relief."

On his nerves going into the final:
"I didn't expect to be so nervous. I had a good preperation and my training was good and I was ready for it. I was really happy that I came through my whole routine. It was a bit of fight to get through the routine, but I did everything I could and this is the result."

On winning the first Dutch gold medal in artistic gymnastics since the women's team gold in 1928:
"I still can't believe it. It's unique to be in a Olympic final if you're a Dutch gymnast, but winning the gold is bizarre. I worked so long to achieve a result like this. This is amazing.

Silver Medalist Fabian Hambuchen of Germany:

Danell Leyva, USA:
"I can’t summarize how competitive that high bar final was. These guys were amazing, just out of this world! 

On his performance:
"My routine was great and I was super happy with that. I'm kind of upset I didn't stick my dismount, but 15.8 is a great score. I knew it wasn’t really going to be medal worthy. My start value is only at a 7.20, and Epke and Zou Kai are 7.90, so that’s just crazy." 

2012 OLYMPIC HIGH BAR FINAL RESULTS:

1. Epke Zonderland (NED)- 16.533 (GOLD)

2. Fabian Hambuchen (GER)- 16.4 (SILVER)

3. Zou Kai (CHN)- 16.366 (BRONZE)

4. Zhang Chenglong (CHN)- 16.266

5. Danell Leyva (USA)- 15.833

6. Jonathan Horton (USA)- 15.466

7. Emin Garibov (RUS)- 15.333

8. Kim Jihoon (KOR)- 15.133

Reserves: Kristian Thomas (GBR), Sam Oldham (GBR) and Alexander Shatilov (ISR)

EVENT PREVIEW

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders 


Zou Kai, China
The reigning World and Olympic high bar champion, Zou Kai is a master of intricate combinations, which helps him achieve a 7.9 D-score heading in to London.  Difficulty, combined with consistency, make him a force to be reckoned with.


Epke Zonderland, Netherlands
Nicknamed the "Flying Dutchman," Epke Zonderland takes the exact opposite approach as Zou Kai, throwing jaw dropping and high flying release elements to reach his 7.9 difficulty total.  At this year's Europeans, Zonderland debuted a huge three-release combination of Cassina, Kovacs and Kolman.


Danell Leyva, USA
Leyva hopes to deliver a high bar medal for the U.S., combining big release moves with execution and style.  With a 7.2 D-score, he'll have to be near perfect to catch the big guns.


Fabian Hambuchen, Germany
The bronze medalist on high bar at the 2008 Olympics, Hambuchen finished fourth at the 2011 World Championships.  With a D-score of 7.5, Hambuchen has scored as high as 16.4 this year, putting him in position to achieve more Olympic success in London.


Kohei Uchimura, Japan
High bar represents another medal opportunity for all-around favorite Kohei Uchimura in London.  The bronze medalist at the most recent World Championships, Uchimura recently showed a super-difficult high bar dismount of triple-twisting double layout.


Zhang Chenglong, China
The 2010 World Champion on high bar, Zhang Chenglong will be a favorite in London.  With a D-score of 7.7, he has scored as high as 16.675 this year with his routine.

Feng Zhe Wins Gold!




China earned another gold medal in the parallel bars final, as Feng Zhe outclassed the field with his 7.0-difficulty routine, showing tight form and sticking his double pike dismount to score 15.966.  Winning by a comfortable .166, Feng Zhe left little doubt that he was the superior performer.

Germany's Marcel Nguyen won a second silver medal at these Olympics, throwing a rare full-twisting double back dismount to score 15.8.  Nguyen has shown incredible consistency in London, finishing second to Kohei Uchimura in the men's all around final.

Hamilton Sabot, the beneficiary of an unbroken tie for the eighth qualifying spot, earned bronze, besting his score from prelims with a clean set for 15.566.  Ecstatic to land on the podium, Sabot is the first French gymnast to medal in London.

Kazuhito Tanaka, who lost an all around medal due to mistakes in the final rotations, again finished off the podium, scoring 15.5 for fourth place.
 

Daniel Barron Corral (MEX), Emin Garibov (RUS) and Vasileios Tsolakidis (GRE) finished in a bunch, with Corral Barron showing clean lines in his routine (15.333), while Garibov and Tsolakidis tied for sixth with scores of 15.3.  

Yusuke Tanaka, brother of Kazuhito, bobbled a handstand and landed short on his dismount to score 15.1.  China's Zhang Chenglong went up first, appearing off from the start.  With a fall, Zhang fell to the bottom of the standings.  He will have another chance to medal in the high bar competition.

PARALLEL BARS FINAL:

1. Feng Zhe (CHN)- 15.966 (GOLD)

2. Marcel Nguyen (GER)- 15.8 (SILVER)

3. Hamilton Sabot (FRA)- 15.566 (BRONZE)

4. Kazuhito Tanaka (JPN)- 15.5

5. Daniel Corral Barron (MEX)- 15.333

6. Emin Garibov (RUS)- 15.3

6. Vasileios Tsolakidis (GRE)- 15.3

8. Yusuke Tanaka (JPN)- 15.1

9. Zhang Chenglong (CHN)- 13.808

Reserves: Samuel Piasecky (SVK) and Danell Leyva (USA)

EVENT HISTORY

YANG HAK SEON GOLDEN AGAIN!



 

While several gymnasts stuck superb, difficult vaults to stay competitive, reigning World Champion Yang Hak Seon of South Korea showed the highest levels of difficulty and execution to win gold in a riveting men's vaulting final.

As the final vaulter, Yang again showed his signature vault, a handspring triple twist, which carries a massive 7.4 D-score - the highest in the world.  Although he took two big steps forward, he made up the difference with his second vault, a near-perfect Kasamatsu double full (9.6 E-score)!  

Yang set himself apart from the field with his perfect twisting form and body position in the air, opening up to prepare for his landings.  His average of 16.533 showed the attention to detail in his tricks.

Denis Ablyazin of Russia had plenty of difficulty, but wasn't as precise as Yang in the execution of his Tsukahara double pike and and half-on, 2 1/2 twist off (named after China's Li Xiaopeng).  Ablyazin took silver (16.399), his second event medal at these Olympics (he took bronze on floor exercise).

Igor Radivilov of Ukraine stuck an astounding Dragulescu (double front half-out), followed by a Tsuk double pike with just one step, but in a field this talented, his average of 16.316 was only good enough for bronze - Ukraine's first gymnastics medal in London.

Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda (CHI), Sam Mikulak (USA) and Isaac Botella (ESP) performed their vaults well, but each lacked the difficulty of the vault medalists.  Like Yang Hak Seon, Botella displayed excellent twisting form, while American Sam Mikulak stuck his handspring double front.  

Romania's Flavius Koczi struggled with his landings and appeared to get lost in the air on his second vault, which he intended to be a Randi.  He left out a full twist and took a large step backwards on landing.  

Kristian Thomas of Great Britain stood up a nice Yurchenko double pike (just a small hop), but unfortunately sat down his handspring double front.  Thomas's vaults will be last performance from a British gymnast at these Olympics.

MEN'S VAULT FINAL:

1. Yang Hak Seon (KOR)- 16.533

2. Denis Ablyazin (RUS)- 16.399

3. Igor Radivilov (UKR)- 16.316

4. Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda (CHI)- 16.183

5. Sam Mikulak (USA)- 16.050

6. Isaac Botella (ESP)- 15.866

7. Flavius Koczi (ROU)- 15.633

8. Kristian Thomas (GBR)- 15.533

------------------------------------------------------------



WAG:   Team     AA     VT     UB     BB     FX

MAG:   Team     AA     FX      PH     SR     VT     PB     HB


When: Monday, Aug. 6 - 10:41 a.m. ET

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Past World Champions 
2011 Yang Hak Seon (KOR)
2010 Thomas Bouhail (FRA)
2009 Marian Dragulescu (ROU)
2007 Leszek Blanik (POL)

Past Olympic Champions 
2008 Leszek Blanik (POL) 
2004 Gervasio Deferr (ESP)
2000 Gervasio Deferr (ESP)
1996 Alexei Nemov (RUS)

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders 

Igor Radivilov, Ukraine
Powerful Ukrainian Igor Radivilov wowed us on vault at this year's European Championships, competing an easy handspring double front 1/2 (Dragulescu) that fell out of the sky.  His second vault, an equally high Tsukahara double pike (7.0) makes him a major contender for gold in London.


Yang Hak Seon, Korea
The reigning World vault champion shows a talent for twisting that is reminiscent of vaulting master Li Xiaopeng.  As the first gymnast to perform a handspring triple twist, the resultant 7.4 D-score gives him an edge over other vaulters.  Additonally, his tight execution will make him hard to beat.

Flavius Koczi, Romania
Another vaulter who favors twisting skills is reigning European Champion Flavius Koczi.  A veteran on the vaulting scene, Koczi took silver at the 2009 World Championships.  His vaults, while consistent, are not as dynamic as the other competitors.

Denis Ablyazin, Russia
A strong Russian contender is Denis Ablyazin, who placed fifth at the 2011 World Championships.  Capable of the rare "Li Xiaopeng" vault (half on, Randi off), Ablyazin has two of the highest D-scores in the world.  Can he find the balance between difficulty and execution?

Dzmitry Kaspiarovich, Belarus
A seasoned competitor in the sport, Kaspiarovich is able to keep pace with the younger vaulters, throwing a Dragulescu and a Tsuk double pike, both 7.0 vaults.  A vault finalist in Beijing and bronze medalist at the 2010 Worlds, Kaspiarovich is after an Olympic vaulting medal in London.


Jake Dalton, USA
The top American on vault is young Jake Dalton.  A gifted technician, Dalton competes a Kasamatsu double full (7.0) and is also capable of a handspring double full.  At the Olympic Trials, he told Gymnastike that he has been training a more difficult second vault: a Randi.  With lower difficulty, Dalton's key to medaling will be flawless execution.

Men's Still Rings Final
 2012 London Olympics
When: Monday, Aug. 6 - 9:00 a.m. ET



ARTHUR ZANETTI TAKES DOWN REIGNING CHAMP CHEN YIBING!



Brazil's Arthur Zanetti upset the still rings master and reigning Olympic champion Chen Yibing to take gold in the still rings final, earning a final score of 15.9 (6.8/9.1).

The standard was set early on by Chen, who began the meet by posting a daunting 15.8, capped off by a gorgeous full-twisting double layout dismount (opens out of second flip). With a smile, Chen then sat back to watch the challenge from his fellow competitors.

Through six gymnasts, Chen Yibing's total would stand. It was not until the final performer - Arthur Zanetti, silver medalist at last year's World Championships - landed his dismount that a new champion would be crowned. With increased difficulty of 6.8 and crisp strength elements, Zanetti easily came out on top, scoring 15.9 even with a small step on his dismount.

Russia's Aleksandr Balandin stuck a piked double front to score 15.666, while veteran Matteo Morandi of Italy showed smooth control of the apparatus. A small hop on his dismount kept Morandi's total at 15.733, just behind Chen Yibing.

Both Tommy Ramos (PUR) and Denis Ablyazin would come close to the leaders, but still ended out of the medals in this deep field. Ramos performed a 6.8 D-score routine, landing slightly off balance after his dismount (15.6). Ablyazin threw a rare double-twisting double layout dismount, but a step and only a 6.6 D-score resulted in a 15.633 total.

Bulgaria's Jordan Jovtchev performed his final routine in the final, placing seventh. Admittedly tired and beat up, Jovtchev touched his knee down on a full-twisting double layout to score 15.108. The crowd showed its appreciation of the six-time Olympian, warmly applauding as he walked off the podium one last time.


QUOTES FROM THE MEDALISTS:

"I was surprised because CHEN (CHN) is a fantastic gymnast and the fact that I had a higher score is the result of many years of hard work."
 - Arthur Nabarette Zanetti

"I did a lot of psychological work - it's not easy to withstand the pressure. I did a great deal to cope with the pressure. There are many variables to consider, execution or low score. You have to assess your own reaction when there's a change, so as not to have a negative impact."
- Arthur Nabarette Zanetti

"I think I already did my best - what I've been training for. When the score (Nabarrete Zanetti's) came up I was a little disappointed because the landing of the Brazilian wasn't great. But I have to congratulate him because he did very well."
- Chen Yibing

On his performance today compared to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games where he won gold:
"Today, compared to Beijing, I think I was better. Psychologically and physically I was well prepared. I was very familiar with my routine. I thought I performed better."
- Chen Yibing

- Matteo Morandi 

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7/28/12
Jovtchev Makes Rings Final at Age 39



Bulgaria's Jordan Jovtchev has advanced to the still rings final in London, qualifying in the eighth position.  The 2012 Olympics are Jovtchev's sixth Games, and he will close his last Olympics in the final.  For more on Jovtchev, read Anne's story on him HERE.

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7/28/12

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EVENT PREVIEW

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders

Chen Yibing, China
While he's dominated the rings throughout his career, the two-time defending World Champion and gold medalist from Beijing suffered a minor knee injury just weeks before the London Games.  Will he be able to defend his title?

Aleksandr Balandin, Russia
In London, Balandin represents one of Russia's best medal chances on still rings.  With the second highest D-score in the world (6.9), Balandin has been pushing the 16.0 mark in 2012.

Arthur Zanetti, Brazil
Silver medalist at last year's World Championships, Zanetti will again be at the top of the pack in London.  So far in 2012, Zanetti has scored as high as 15.925 on rings.


Koji Yamamuro, Japan
Throughout the quad, Yamamuro has been in contention for rings medals, winning bronze at last year's Worlds and taking fourth in Rotterdam 2010.  In London, Yamamuro will again be a medal favorite, scoring as high as 15.75 in 2012.

Matteo Morandi, Italy
A veteran on rings, Morandi won his first World Championship medal in 2002.  Recently, Morandi has kept near the top, winning bronze in 2010 and finishing fourth at the Tokyo World Championships last year.


Jonathan Horton, USA
A finalist at last year's World Championships, Horton placed seventh despite sustaining an ankle injury earlier in the competition.  Scoring as high as 15.5 this year, Horton has an outside shot at a medal in London.

BERKI WINS AGAIN!

Two-time defending world champion Krisztian Berki of Hungary won his first Olympic title on his specialty, the pommel horse, with an execution score that gave him a slight edge over Great Britain's Louis Smith, whom he tied with scores of 16.066.  Smith's young teammate, Max Whitlock, gave the performance of his life to win bronze (15.6).

The final began with strong routines from Cyril Tommasone of France (15.141) and Alberto Busnari of Italy (15.4).  Hungary's Vid Hidvegi suffered the only fall of the final, hopping off for a score of 14.3.

Max Whitlock, who qualified in last place, took advantage of another opportunity to compete in front of his home crowd, delighting fans with a smooth and elegant set to take the early lead.

His stay at the top was brief, as veteran pommel horse specialist Berki was next to perform.  After uncharacteristic errors qualified him in fifth, Berki looked sharp in the execution of his 6.9 difficulty routine, breezing through with lovely extension and toe point.  His score of 16.066 set the bar high for Smith, his chief rival.

Vatalii Nakonechnyi of Ukraine and David Belyavskiy of Russia could not match the leaders in difficulty or execution, ending in sixth and seventh place, respectively.

Then Smith, last to go, showed focus and determination in his final routine of the London Games.  A methodical worker, Smith soldiered through each difficult section and looked shocked as his score tied him with Berki.  The difference came down to one tenth in execution score, as Berki would again capture gold on pommels.

Quotes:

On his mistake in the qualifying round: 
"Physically I was okay but I saw I had to get myself together. That was my first Olympic performance iin the qualifications so my hands were a little bit shaky, but in the end everything was fine."
- Krisztian Berki

"My target for myself was to come in here and do well for the team and hopefully make an individual final. I've come away from my home Olympics, my first Olympics, with two bronze medals, so I can't be happier with that."

- Max Whitlock

On his future plans:
"Max (WHITLOCK, GBR) is catching me up. When he does overtake me, I'm not sure how long I can keep on blagging it for (laughs). I'm 23 and my body feels like 40, but hopefully Krisztian (BERKI, HUN) will retire so I can win some gold medals (laughs)."

On scoring the same as Berki but coming second because of the tie-break:
"Gymnastics will remain like this for a long time and you have to take it with a pinch of salt. If you watch it back on slow motion, you'll usually see the best athlete won. But it's been great to have Great Britain second and third on the podium."

On why coming second isn't a failure:
"Our sport is different to other sports. If we needed to feed off the crowd to go faster, it'd be different. But I'm being judged and to be judged worthy of a silver medal at the Olympic Games is fantastic. Coming so close to gold is hard, but I like to look at the positives, and it's been historic for gymnastics in both Great Britain and Hungary. It's been a great day for the sport."

On having Kate Middleton in the stands for their final:
"I don’t want to offend her, but if I’d seen the Duchess of Cambridge I probably wouldve blown her a kiss or something!"



POMMEL HORSE FINAL:

1. Krisztian Berki (HUN)- 16.066 (GOLD)

2. Louis Smith (GBR)- 16.066 (SILVER)

3. Max Whitlock (GBR)- 15.6 (BRONZE)

4. Alberto Busnari (ITA)- 15.4

5. Cyril Tommasone (FRA)- 15.141

6. Vitalii Nakonachnyi (UKR)- 14.766

7. David Belyavskiy (RUS)- 14.733

8. Vid Hidvegi (HUN)- 14.3

FINALS START LIST

TOMMASONE Cyril FRA

BUSNARI Alberto ITA

HIDVEGI Vid HUN

WHITLOCK Max GBR

BERKI Krisztian HUN

NAKONECHNYI Vitalii UKR

BELYAVSKIY David RUS

SMITH Louis GBR

2004 Pommel Horse Champion Teng Haibin out

The Chinese Media is reporting that 2004 Olympic pommel horse champion and 2012 medal contender Teng Haibin has suffered an arm injury and will be replaced by alternate Guo Weiyang in London.  Initially, Teng Haibin toughed it out in the training session, but after failing to perform up to expectations with his injury, the decision was made to call in the alternate. This will end his chances for the pommel horse final. 

 

Past World Pommel Horse Champions
2011 Krisztian Berki (HUN)
2010 Krisztian Berki (HUN)
2009 Zhang Hongtao (CHN)
2007 Xiao Qin (CHN)

Past Olympic Pommel Horse Champions
2008 Xiao Qin (CHN)
2004 Teng Haibin (CHN)
2000 Marius Urzica (ROM)
1996 Donghua Li (SUI) 

The pommel horse event is more open than in the past, considering that many top performers did not make it to London. Those include Daniel Keatings, Prashanth Sellathurai, Xiao Qin and Zhang Hongtao. Chinese favorite Teng Haibin also was forced to withdraw due to injury.


Krisztian Berki, Hungary
The hands down favorite in London will be two-time defending World Champion Krisztian Berki.  A six-time European Champion on pommels, Berki has the second-highest D-score in the world (6.9), which he combines with effortless technique and flexibility to earn high scores.


Louis Smith, Great Britain
The world's highest difficulty score belongs to Britain's own Louis Smith, whose routine starts at a massive 7.0.  Smith is also the high scorer thus far in 2012, scoring a 16.375 at the British Championships.  With the home crowd behind him, Smith looks to dethrone Berki.

China 1-2 On Beam!

The Chinese women, Deng Linlin and Sui Lu, went 1-2 in the balance beam final, standing out from the pack of otherwise shaky performances in the eight-person final.

Deng Linlin cruised through her difficult set, finishing each skill with a flourish.  Deng tumbled a gorgeous series of two back handsprings to straight layout, tacking a swingdown onto the end to earn the top spot (15.6).

Like her teammate, China's Sui Lu looked comfortable on the beam, counting very few wobbles.  Her routine was highlighted by a stuck punch front 1/2, helping her to a big 15.5 score.

Aly Raisman again found herself in fourth place after her performance, receiving a 14.966 for a stable beam routine with a hop on the dismount.  After an inquiry, Raisman's D-score was raised by one tenth, tying her with Romania's Catalina Ponor.  This time, the tiebreaker went Raisman's way, as she earned the bronze medal by virtue of a higher execution total.

Ponor, Olympic champion from 2004, looked uncharacteristically shaky, overcooking a double turn at the start of her routine, then fighting to stay on after a full-twisting back handspring gone awry.  Just as in '04, Ponor dismounted with a difficult piked full-in (15.066) for fourth place.

Fellow Romanian Larisa Iordache, who was inserted into the final over teammate Diana Bulimar, fell from the beam after a back full.  

Russia's Ksenia Afanasyeva performed an elegant routine, but wasn't quite as solid as in the team competition, bouncing backwards out of her double back dismount (14.583).

All around winner Gabby Douglas, in her final appearance in London, looked shaky throughout, missing a connection at the start of her routine.  Her medal chances slipped away when her foot missed the beam after a switch leap 1/2, causing her to slide off the apparatus.

Viktoria Komova, silver medalist in the all around, didn't have the routine she had hoped for, either.  She fought to save a errant punch front, but couldn't stay on the beam.  Deflated, she then sat down her Patterson dismount (13.166).

QUOTES

Beam Champion Deng Linlin: 
"I made a mistake in the women's team event so this medal compensates for that. I have no regrets. After the team event I was depressed. The motivation from this event came from my coach and other teammates so I could adjust in the past four days and prepare for this event."

On her aims after Beijing 2008:
"My goal after 2008 was to have a breakthrough in an individual event. Now I have."

Mihai Brestyan, Coach of Aly Raisman
On why he submitted an inquiry:
"The full turn combination was the skill in question. They (the judges) thought she lost the combination, so she wasn't given the bonus. But when they watched it on the screen (after the inquiry) they saw that she moved the whole time. It was a slow connection, but still a connection. When I saw the lower difficulty score I knew it was wrong."

Beam bronze medalist Aly Raisman:
"When I walked into the arena I saw that Gabby had fallen and that Komova had fallen too, and then I looked over and saw one of the Chinese gymnasts crying and I had no idea what was going on. Then when I got off the podium (after my routine) and saw the first two scores were. I knew I definitely wasn't going to beat those, so I was just hoping for bronze." 

BALANCE BEAM FINAL:

1. Deng Linlin (CHN)- 15.6 (GOLD)

2. Sui Lu (CHN)- 15.5 (SILVER)

3. Aly Raisman (USA)- 15.066 (BRONZE)

4. Catalina Ponor (ROU)- 15.066

5. Ksenia Afanasyeva (RUS)- 14.583

6. Larisa Iordache (ROU)- 14.2

7. Gabby Douglas (USA)- 13.633

8. Viktoria Komova (RUS)- 13.166

EVENT PREVIEW

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders 

Larisa Iordache, Romania
A favorite to win in London, Iordache displays the signature quick Romanian style on beam.  She shows high difficulty with a back handspring-full combination and triple full dismount.  Consistency has spoiled Iordache in the past, but she holds the highest score in the world thus far: 15.95.


Jordyn Wieber, USA
After struggling with difficult connections throughout 2012, she and coach John Geddert have said they will re-evaluate her composition going in to London.  A mental warrior on the event, she won bronze on the event at last year's Worlds.


Yao Jinnan, China
The reigning World silver medalist, Yao Jinnan throws big tricks (standing full) and often times, she nails them.  A gold medalist on beam at this year's Zibo World Cup, Yao Jinnan looks to return to the medal stand in London.


Catalina Ponor, Romania
The Olympic champion from 2004, Ponor may be just as dominant in her second Olympics in London.  Known for her sharp connections and aggressive style, Ponor is the reigning European Champion on beam.


Aly Raisman, USA
A finalist at last year's World Championships, Aly Raisman has only improved on beam in 2012.  With a stellar 6.5 D-score, Raisman has been the picture of consistency this year.  If others falter, Raisman will surely be there to take advantage.


Lauren Mitchell, Australia
A medal contender on balance beam for the last five years, Mitchell made her first World beam final in 2007, finishing fifth.  She went on to win silver on the event in 2009 and place fourth in 2010.  With a high score of 15.7 at this year's Australian Championships, Mitchell will aim to earn an Olympic medal for her country in London.


Sui Lu, China
As reigning World Champion, Sui Lu is again a contender to earn gold in London.  Boasting a 6.6 D-score, she is one of China's strongest medal hopes in 2012.


Kyla Ross, USA
As the least experienced American in London, Kyla Ross will have to keep nerves of steel to even qualify to the beam final.  With stellar form and execution, Ross is one of the best technicians on balance beam.  She scored a big 15.5 in Jesolo this year.


Viktoria Komova, Russia
Talented Russian Komova can win it all if she keeps her nerves together on beam.  Capable of high D and E-scores, Komova has added the Patterson dismount back to her routine, and has scored as high as 15.325 this year.

ZOU KAI DEFENDS TITLE

2008 Olympic Champion Zou Kai of China successfully defended his gold medal on the floor exercise Sunday, hitting a double-twisting double layout mount and showing precise landings out of his tumbling skills to score 15.933.

Zou Kai's performance gave him a slight edge over all around gold medalist Kohei Uchimura of Japan (3 1/2 twist to punch front 1/2; stuck triple full - 15.8).  Russia's powerful Denis Ablyazin finished third, after a tiebreaker with Uchimura (double-double layout; punch double full to double front - 15.8).  Ablyazin's bronze is the first medal for the Russian men at these Games.

USA's Jake Dalton ended up in fifth (15.333) after nearly hopping out of the floor area following a side pass.  He also gave away slight landing deductions after his laid out double Arabian mount and triple full dismount.

Tomas Gonzalez Sepulveda of Chile placed just ahead of Dalton (15.366) in fourth, under rotating his final triple full pass to finish well behind the leaders.

Alexander Shatilov (15.333), Flavius Koczi (15.1) and Marcel Nguyen (14.966) each gave away too much in landing deductions to challenge for a medal, finishing near the bottom of the standings.


QUOTES:

On the differences between the gold medal in floor exercise at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the one he won at Beijing 2008:
"I was really young and inexperienced in 2008. I was just a kid who focused on the competition. I'm different now and wanted to be on top of the podium."
- Zou Kai

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How to advance to event finals
The top eight gymnasts based on scores from prelims will advance to event finals. However, only two gymnasts per country may advance.

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - Kohei Uchimura (Japan)

Past Olympic Floor Champions:
2008 - Zou Kai (China)
2004 - Kyle Shewfelt (Canada)
2000 - Igor Vihrov (Latvia)
1996 - Ioannis Melissanidis (Greece)

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders: 

Denis Ablyazin, Russia
Ablyazin has come on strong in 2012, boasting a huge 7.1 D-score.  His routine is packed with big tumbling skills, including a whip to layout Thomas, double-twisting double layout, piked double Arabian, and triple full dismount.


Jake Dalton, USA
Dalton impresses with flawless execution, leading the U.S. men with pointed toes and stuck landings.


Zou Kai, China
The defending Olympic champion is a master at building his D-scores.  He combines intricate tumbling combinations with precise landings to score big.


Kohei Uchimura, Japan
Reigning World Champion Uchimura will again be a factor in London.  With a cat-like ability to land and perfect form, Uchimura's execution scores will help him overcome a lower degree of difficulty.


Alexander Shatilov, Israel
A bronze medalist at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships, Shatilov has been a force on floor exercise throughout the quad.  He mounts with a unique double full-in, pike out.

Kristian Thomas, Great Britain
Thomas earned his spot on the British team partially by virtue of his talent on this event.  The British champion on floor exercise, Thomas has scored as high as 15.85 this year and may be in the medal hunt in front of his home crowd in London.


Diego Hypolito, Brazil
Although he is coming back from knee surgery, Hypolito is the reigning World Championship bronze medalist on floor exercise and was the World Champion in 2005 and 2007.  If in top form, Hypolito could earn his first Olympic gold in London.

USA WINS GOLD!!!

The USA women's gymnastics team of Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, Gabby Douglas, and Kyla Ross are Olympic Champions! 
Full Recap HERE.



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TODAY in London (11:30 AM ET) - Women's Team Finals
Click HERE to Follow LIVE Competition Updates

Format: 3 gymnasts up on every event, ALL 3 scores count
 
Qualifying scores (only for reference, these scores do not carry over to the Finals)

1. USA- 181.863
2. Russia- 180.429
3. China- 176.637
4. Romania- 176.264
5. Great Britain- 170.656
6. Japan- 170.198
7. Italy- 168.397
8. Canada- 167.696

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - USA

Past Olympic Team Champions:
2008 - China
2004 - Romania
2000 - Romania
1996 - US

Women's Team Final

2012 London Olympics



WAG: Prelims  Team     AA     VT     UB     BB     FX

MAG: Prelims   Team    AA     FX      PH     SR     VT     PB     HB

When: Tuesday, July 31 - 11:30 a.m. ET

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Lineups for Team Finals

USA

VAULT: Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, McKayla Maroney

UNEVEN BARS: Jordyn Wieber, Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas

BALANCE BEAM: Kyla Ross, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman

FLOOR EXERCISE: Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman


RUSSIA

VAULT: Aliya Mustafina, Viktoria Komova, Maria Paseka

UNEVEN BARS: Anastasia Grishina, Aliya Mustafina, Viktoria Komova

BALANCE BEAM: Aliya Mustafina, Viktoria Komova, Ksenia Afanasyeva

FLOOR EXERCISE: Aliya Mustafina, Anastasia Grishina, Ksenia Afanasyeva


CHINA

VAULT: Deng Linlin, Huang Qiushuang, Yao Jinnan

UNEVEN BARS: Huang Qiushuang, He Kexin, Yao Jinnan

BALANCE BEAM: Deng Linlin, Sui Lu, Huang Qiushuang

FLOOR EXERCISE: Deng Linlin, Huang Qiushuang, Sui Lu


ROMANIA

VAULT: Larisa Iordache, Catalina Ponor, Sandra Izbasa

UNEVEN BARS: Diana Bulimar, Diana Chelaru, Larisa Iordache

BALANCE BEAM: Diana Bulimar, Larisa Iordache, Catalina Ponor

FLOOR EXERCISE: Diana Bulimar, Catalina Ponor, Sandra Izbasa


JAPAN

VAULT: Koko Tsurumi, Rie Tanaka, Asuka Teramoto

UNEVEN BARS: Asuka Teramoto, Rie Tanaka, Koko Tsurumi

BALANCE BEAM: Yuko Shintake, Yu Minobe, Asuka Teramoto

FLOOR EXERCISE: Yuko Shintake, Rie Tanaka, Asuka Teramoto


ITALY

VAULT: Carlotta Ferlito, Vanessa Ferrari, Erika Fasana

UNEVEN BARS: Erika Fasana, Vanessa Ferrari, Giorgia Campana

BALANCE BEAM: Elisabetta Preziosa, Vanessa Ferrari, Carlotta Ferlito

FLOOR EXERCISE: Carlotta Ferlito, Vanessa Ferrari, Erika Fasana


GREAT BRITAIN

VAULT: Imogen Cairns, Jennifer Pinches, Rebecca Tunney

UNEVEN BARS: Hannah Whelan, Rebecca Tunney, Beth Tweddle

BALANCE BEAM: Imogen Cairns, Jennifer Pinches, Hannah Whelan

FLOOR EXERCISE: Jennifer Pinches, Hannah Whelan, Beth Tweddle


CANADA

VAULT: Dominique Pegg, Brittany Rogers, Ellie Black

UNEVEN BARS: Victoria Moors, Kristina Vaculik, Brittany Rogers

BALANCE BEAM: Ellie Black, Dominique Pegg, Kristina Vaculik

FLOOR EXERCISE: Ellie Black, Dominique Pegg, Victoria Moors



The Women's Team Final begins at 11:30 ET on Tuesday, July 31.


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Canada Celebrates Historic Team Finals Berth

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USA alternate athlete Anna Li has injured during training in Birmingham on Tuesday. 

From USA Gymnastics, July 26, 2012

Anna Li Update

When Anna Li fell from the uneven bars on July 24, she injured her neck and is wearing a cervical collar as a precaution.  She tore a ligament in her neck, and she has been advised to wear the collar as well as check with a physician upon her return to the States.  As a result, she is no longer training as a replacement athlete. 

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Russians Landing Amanars

According to NBC's Elfi Schlegel on Twitter, both Viktoria Komova and Maria Paseka of the Russian team stood up Amanar vaults in training at the London Olympics.  



Two Amanars will help the Russians close the gap on the United States, which will likely compete three of the difficult vaults in Team Finals.  A third Russian, Aliya Mustafina, has competed the Amanar in the past, but has not shown the vault thus far in training.



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How to advance to Team Finals
The top 8 teams based on scores from prelims will advance to the team finals.  In the finals, three gymnasts will perform on each apparatus, with all three scores counting.

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - USA

Past Olympic Team Champions:
2008 - China
2004 - Romania
2000 - Romania
1996 - USA

: 

USA
For the third consecutive Olympics, the U.S. enters the Games as the defending World Champion. This time, however, the team hopes to come out with gold in London.  Despite sending its youngest squad since 1992, the American gymnasts have plenty of experience, led by talented all-arounders Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman. 


Russia
The Russian women come in to London with their best shot at Olympic gold since 2000.  The World Champions from 2010, the team's hopes are heavily dependent on the performances of three key gymnasts: Aliya Mustafina, Anastasia Grishina and Viktoria Komova.  A talented and fragile team, the Russians will have to deliver peak routines to win Olympic gold.


Romania
After falling to fourth at the 2010 and 2011 World Championships, Romania has gotten into together in 2012, defeating the Russians to win the European Championship earlier this year.  With a glaring weakness on uneven bars, the Romanians will hope that consistency, along with big scores on beam and floor, can lead them to gold in London.


China
The defending Olympic champions have an uphill battle ahead of them, as the Chinese women have not finished above bronze at a World Championships since winning in Beijing. To win gold in London, the Chinese will need to upgrade their difficulty on vault and floor, and stay on the apparatus! 

British Men Win Historic Bronze Medal

The British men's gymnastics team put it together in the team final to earn a bronze medal for their country, the first team medal for Britain since 1912.  

The team of Daniel Purvis, Max Whitlock, Louis Smith, Kristian Thomas and Sam Oldham were initially announced as the silver medalists, but a score inquiry moved the Japanese team from fourth place up to second, bumping Britain down to bronze medal position.

A tight race for the silver and bronze, Britain solidified a team medal with a fantastic performance on the floor exercise in the final rotation.  All three gymnasts scored above 15.0, with Whitlock at 15.166, Thomas at 15.433 and Purvis at 15.533.  The team's outstanding tumbling work allowed them to squeeze past Ukraine to earn bronze, 271.711-271.526.

Other highlights for Britain included Louis Smith's 15.966 on pommel horse and Kristian Thomas sticking a Yurchenko double pike to score 16.55 on vault.  All around standout Purvis competed all six events, scoring no lower than 14.6 on any routine.  

QUOTES

Louis Smith:
"All of us look up to the Japanese team"

Dan Purvis: 
"We've been creeping up there the past 4 years."

"It's a little bit upsetting going silver to bronze, but we've still got a medal. Thinking about the Ukrainian team and missing a medal, that's devastating."

"My floor routine at the end, that was probably the specialist routine I've done my whole life!"

More GOLD for China!


Photo by Jed Jacobsohn

Zou Kai's 16.4 performance on high bar helped the Chinese men's gymnastics team win its third Olympic gold in the last 12 years.  Team China were also Olympic champions in 2000 and 2008.

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Teng Haibin out; Guo Weiyang called in as alternate

The Chinese Media is reporting that 2004 Olympic pommel horse champion and 2012 medal contender Teng Haibin has suffered an arm injury and will be replaced by alternate Guo Weiyang in London.  Initially, Teng Haibin toughed it out in the training session, but after failing to perform up to expectations with his injury, the decision was made to call in the alternate. 

 

The Chinese men are the defending Olympic champions, but have run into some bad luck with injuries.  Teng Haibin's incident comes not long after 2008 Olympic Rings Champion Chen Yibing suffered a minor knee injury.

Teng Haibin's withdrawal will affect the Chinese lineups, as he competed four routines in team finals at last year's World Championships.  It also eliminates Teng Haibin from the pommel horse competition in London.


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


How to advance to Team Finals
The top 8 teams based on scores from prelims will advance to the team finals.  In the finals, three gymnasts will perform on each apparatus, with all three scores counting.

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - China

Past Olympic Team Champions:
2008 - China
2004 - Japan
2000 - China
1996 - Russia

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders


China
The defending Olympic champions, the Chinese men have won gold at every Worlds and Olympics since 2006.  A team loaded with former World and Olympic champions and built around event specialists, China have proven to know how to win.


Japan
The Japanese have long been a power in men's gymnastics.  Unlike China, the Japanese men boast two the of World's best all arounders in Kohei Uchimura and Koji Yamamuro.  Having finished second to China throughout the quadrennium, the Japanese men look like they will be strong competition in London.


USA
The U.S. brings to London one of its most talented teams in history, including three world-class all-arounders in Danell Leyva, John Orozco and Sam Mikulak.  With slight weaknesses on pommel horse and rings, the American men will have to be consistent to finish on top.


Russia
The Russian men come to London a little beat up, as their top all-arounder David Belyavskiy is recovering from a neck injury.  The Russians hope to return to the medal stand in London, after finishing fourth at the 2011 World Championships.


Germany
The German men's team has enjoyed a rise over the past decade, most recently winning team bronze at the 2010 World Championships.  However, inconsistency plagued the squad in 2011, falling to sixth.  The team is heavily reliant on its stars: Fabian Hambuchen and Philipp Boy.


Ukraine
A stylish team with top difficulty, the Ukrainian men represent a resurgence to their country's gymnastics program.  Ukraine rebounded from a 13th-place finish in 2010, to an outstanding fifth-place showing at the 2011 World Championships.  This young team looks to surprise the favorites in London.

UCHIMURA GETS GOLD!

It wasn't perfect, but Japan's Kohei Uchimura won his first Olympic all around gold Wednesday, after winning silver in Beijing. 
  
The three-time defending World Champion, Uchimura was on his way to another near-perfect all around showing, until putting his hands down after a tumbling line on floor exercise, his last event.  Uchimura's lead was sufficient, however, to keep him in gold medal position, over Germany's Marcel Nguyen and USA's Danell Leyva. Today's victory marks Uchimura's fourth major all around title in a row and solidifies his name as one of the greatest gymnasts in history. 

For the silver and bronze, the competition came down to the last event where Leyva earned a 15.7 on the high bar to put him in medal contention. It was only after Marcel Nguyen's hit floor routine that he know he'd won the bronze medal. 

The U.S. men, Leyva and John Orozco, had high expectations after a dominating qualification performance. Leyva was the top all around qualifier, while Orozco advanced in fourth. 

Leyva and Orozco followed the same rotation the USA men did in the team final, starting the competition on the floor exercise. Orozco hit his floor routine with a stuck 2.5 dismount for a score of 15.433, an impressive score for him. Leyva also had a solid routine with clean landings and a small step on his double layout dismount. He received a score of 15.366. 

The second rotation was on the pommel horse. In general The U.S. men have struggled on this event in London. Both Orozco and Leyva had a fall in their routines during team finals. The men struggled once again during their routines. Orozco was performing well until he lost rhythm and came to a dead stop on his dismount and had to press up in order to finish it. He was only awarded a 12.566. Leyva had a great set until he also lost his rhythm on his dismount, hesitated and had to press up in order to finish. He also earned a low score of 13.50, a point lower than what he is capable. 

In the third rotation Orozco and Leyva started their comeback on the still rings. Leyva hit his routine with a stuck full twisting double layout. He scored a 14.733. Orozco also hit his routine with a 1.5 twisting double tuck dismount with only a small hop on the landing. He was awarded a 15.20. Orozco was looking for redemption on the vault after sitting down his vault during team finals. He performed a handspring double twist landing right in the middle with a small step. Orozco was given a 15.9. Leyva played it safe by only performing a tsuk double instead of what he usually performs, a 2.5. It was clean with only a small step on the landing. He scored a 15.566. 

The last two events were Leyva's strongest. He looked to still be in medal contention, but things weren't looking as good for Orozco. Leyva, World Champion on the parallel bars, perfomed his best routine in London so far scoring a 15.833. His coach and father Yin Alvarez showed his approval by clapping and jumping up and down after Leyva's routine. Orozco also had a soild routine with a few mistakes and a step back on his double pike dismount. He scored a 15.266. Going into the last rotation Leyva was sitting in sixth place and Orozco was in tenth. Leyva needed a strong routine in order to medal and that is exactly what he delivered. He took a step on his double double layout, but earned a great score of 15.70. Orozco also finished up the competition with a great routine, only having a small step on his dismount. He finished eighth in the competition. Leyva was awarded the bronze medal. 

He finished the meet in top form on parallel bars (15.833) and high bar (15.7) to move himself past Ukraine's Mykola Kuksenkov at the end.

Photo: Danell Leyva in interviews after the all around competition.

Post-Competition Quotes:

"He's (Uchimura) is the 3 time World Champion. I don't think anyone out there deserved it more. I'm pleased he won today."
- Kristian Thomas, Great Britain

"I'm really happy, especially coming back from a miss on pommel horse, but to be completely honest, I’m not entirely satisfied. This bronze is beautiful, but at the same time the gold was definitely the team goal. And a lot of people have asked who I’m dedicating this to. I’m dedicating it not only to my coach and my mom and grandparents, but literally to the whole Team USA. All these guys are my brothers. And everybody back in the States in Miami, I love all you guys."
- Danell Leyva, USA

"If I spoke Japanese, I would tell Uchimura that he is the greatest gymnast to ever live... for now."
- Danell Leyva, USA




MEN'S ALL AROUND FINAL RESULTS

1. Kohei Uchimura (JPN)- 92.690 (GOLD)

2. Marcel Nguyen (GER)- 91.031 (SILVER)

3. Danell Leyva (USA)- 90.698 (BRONZE)

4. Mykola Kuksenkov (UKR)- 90.432

5. David Belyavskiy (RUS)- 90.297

6. Kazuhito Tanaka (JPN)- 89.407

7. Kristian Thomas (GBR)- 89.406

8. John Orozco (USA)- 89.331

9. Fabian Gonzalez (ESP)- 88.998

10. Sergio Sasaki (BRA)- 88.965

11. Oleg Verniaiev (UKR)- 88.931

12. Alexander Shatilov (ISR)- 88.432

13. Daniel Purvis (GBR)- 88.332

14. Emin Garibov (RUS)- 88.006

15. Fabian Hambuchen (GER)- 87.765

16. Cyril Tommasone (FRA)- 87.657

17. Claudio Capelli (SUI)- 87.314

18. Enrico Pozzo (ITA)- 87.032

19. Joshua Jefferis (AUS)- 86.865

20. Kim Soo Myun (85.773)

21. Jimmy Verbaeys (BEL)- 85.231

22. Paolo Ottavi (ITA)- 84.648

23. Javier Gomez Fuertes (ESP)- 84.431

24. Roman Kulesza (POL)- 84.165

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How to advance to All Around Finals
The top 24 gymnasts based on scores from prelims will advance to the finals. However, only two gymnasts per country may advance.

Reigning World Champion:
2011 - Kohei Uchimura (Japan)

Past Olympic AA Champions:
2008 - Yang Wei (China)
2004 - Paul Hamm (USA)
2000 - Alexei Nemov (Russia)
1996 - Li Xiaoshuang (China)

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders: 


Kohei Uchimura, Japan
"The man" in men's gymnastics for the past four years, Uchimura is undefeated at the World Championships this quad, winning three straight World all around titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011.


Daniel Purvis, Great Britain
A three-time British All Around champion, Purvis has come on strong in 2012, after finishing fourth at the 2011 World Championships.


Danell Leyva, USA
The top American in London may be Olympic Trials champion Danell Leyva.  Clean and consistent, Leyva has upgraded his routines from 2011 and will aim to stay close to Uchimura.


Philipp Boy, Germany
A talented all-arounder and the reigning World silver medalist, Boy will have to overcome wrist and shoulder injuries to medal in London.


Koji Yamamuro, Japan
Young Koji Yamamuro burst on to the scene in 2010 and has steadily improved each year, taking bronze in the all around at the 2011 World Championships.  This year, he has posted one of the highest six-event totals in the world.


John Orozco, USA 
The U.S. National Champion this year, Orozco is peaking in 2012.  Orozco boasts high difficulty scores and the second-highest all around total this year behind Uchimura.

Final Gymnastics Results for the 2012 London Olympic Games
2012 Olympic Games - Artistic Gymnastics

Results: London 2012 WOMEN'S TEAM FINALS





Click here for the RECAP of the London 2012 women's team final




Results: London 2012 MEN'S TEAM FINALS






Click here for the RECAP of the London 2012 men's team final
Click here for the story on USA men's 5th place finish




Results: London 2012 Women's ALL AROUND FINALS





Click here for the full RECAP of the London 2012 women's all around final




Results: London 2012 Men's ALL AROUND FINALS





Click here for the full RECAP of the London 2012 men's all around final




Results: London 2012 WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL EVENT FINALS



Links to RECAPS:
VT  -  UB  -  BB  -  FX




Results: London 2012 MEN'S INDIVIDUAL EVENT FINALS



Links to RECAPS:
FX  -  PH  -  SR  -  VT  -  PB  -  HB



Final Recap of London 2012 Gymnastics Medalists




Link to complete results