The podium winners of the men’s team event, Chinese, Russian and Japanese gymnasts celebrate after the medal ceremony during the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 at the Aspire Dome yesterday. Picture: Syed Omar
DOHA: It was a perfect men’s team final at the 48th edition of Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 yesterday, and favourites China came out as eventual winners after edging out Russia by only 0.49 points in a thrilling finish at packed Aspire Dome.
Defending champions Japan finished third, completing the podium and a set of top three teams qualifying for 2020 Tokyo Olympic.
Yesterday’s battle – the first of the series of six finals to be competed at Doha Worlds, had all the features of a great competition – the cheering spectators, suspense and a tough fight which went down to wire.
The leaders at the final continued to switch after every rotation with Russia, seeking their first ever team gold at the Worlds, going as leaders most of the time.
Russian Nikita Nagornyy‘s error in yesterday’s last routine, muscling out of a handstand, proved costly as he scored 13.733 when they needed a 13.822 to hand China the win.
China tallied 256.634 while Russia ended with a score of 256.585 with Japan earning 253.744 for a bronze medal.
It was the closest Olympic or world team final since the perfect-10 scoring system was replaced in 2006.
China captured 10 of 11 world team titles from 1994 through 2014 before Japan emerged as giants, and head coach Liang Chow was delighted with the gold.
“We are very happy to regain our title. It was a good team work though we did many mistakes,” he said before praising team Russia’s resurgence in the team event at the post-final press conference, yesterday.
“It was a close final and nobody knew about the winners till the last routine .... very tense but fans got the best competition,” he said.
“Russia have made a lot of progress and were impressive in the final. Japan could not do well as they were missing two gymnasts due to injury,” he added.
Russia looked set for the historic title after four rotations as they were leading by 1.919 points. Then Artur Dalaloyan committed a mistake and fell off the parallel bars. China took full advantage, outscoring the Russians by 2.867 on the apparatus. They also got a breakthrough from Zou Jingyuan who went 16.2 in parallel bars.
Artur said though Russia missed their historic gold, the team achieved the target of reaching Olympics and a medal at Worlds since 2006.
“Our main task was to qualify for Olympics and we have won the qualification,” he said.
“We did mistakes but every team committed mistakes in the final. I am thankful to the fans who cheered for me after I fell as it gave me energy.”
“We are happy with the silver medal as a podium finish at this level is a good achievement. It’s a first team medal in a long time at Worlds.”
Reigning Olympic champions Japan was leading at the halfway point before two-time Olympian Yusuke Tanaka came off on the fourth rotation, dropping the Japanese to third place.
Japanese superstar Kohei Uchimura gave his best and started on a positive note despite an ankle injury.
“I feel bad for my team-mates but we will bounce back,” said Uchimura.
“We have a good team and I am confident we can win a gold medal in Tokyo Olympics. Hopefully, I will also recover completely.”
USA finished fourth with 251.994 points while Britain (248.628), Switzerland (244.294), Brazil (243.994) and Netherlands (240.660) secured rest of the places.
America’s Sam Mikulak was satisfied with his team’s overall performance.
“We did the job we came out to do. We’re all much better gymnasts today than we were yesterday. This is an experience for a lifetime, and now, we put the pressure on a lot of teams who I think weren’t looking at us the way they’re going to start looking at us.”
Today, the team women’s final is scheduled with USA favourite to retain their title. Olympic superstar Simone Biles led USA to top position in qualifying followed by China and Russia.
