After another successful World Cup last September, the Olympics take over the intimate but impressive venue. 96 gymnasts from 39 different nations will begin their quest for eight sets of medals (team, all-around, and six individual events). And who better to launch the festivities than our favourite British team.
Joe Fraser, Luke Whitehouse, Harry Hepworth, Jake Jarman and, Max Whitlock will start their competition in Subdivision 1 at 10am on vault, alongside Canada, USA and Germany. Alternate James Hall will stay put in case of last-minute change.
What to Expect?
Two-times European Champion, Luke Whitehouse, and 2023 World Finalist, Harry Hepworth, will take on the Floor Exercise against Artem Dolgopyat (Israel), reigning Olympic Champion in this event.
Whitehouse won European gold over the Israeli two years in a row with his sky-high triple back first pass.
As if that wasn’t enough, Jake Jarman is also lined up on Floor, giving Great Britain three gymnasts with a difficulty over 6.6!
Although the British men’s track record is impressive, they will have to face 2019 World Champion Carlos Yulo (Philippines), and 2020 Olympics silver medallist Ray Zapata, who are also battling for the podium.
Bearing in mind, only two of the three British will be able to access event final due to the two-per-country rule.
Jake Jarman, the pressure is on!
Alongside Artur Davtyan (Armenia), Jake has a real chance of a gold medal on vault. His Yonekura gives him a difficulty advantage but Artur has been consistent throughout the World Cup process, and his landings are near perfection.
Carlos Yulo (Philippines) is right behind them with Jake’s difficulty, albeit a lesser execution on his piked Dragulescu and a Kas 2/1. With the reigning Olympic Champion Jeahwan Shin (Korean Republic) missing, Harry Hepworth will also take his chance after a promising World final on this aparatus last year in Antwerp.
Pommel Horse might be the most anticipated event this year.
Max Whitlock will defend his Olympic Title but the lineup against him is extraordinary – Nariman Kurbanov (Kazakhstan) has been scoring 15.3+ routines in World Cups, matching Whitlock’s 6.9 difficulty.
Execution will set them apart if two-time World Champion Rhys McCleneghan (Ireland) and two-time World medallist Ahmad Abu Al Soud (Jordan) don’t do it themselves.
Other gymnasts who have scored over 15.3+ this year are 2021 World Champion Stephen Nedoroscik (USA), and Hur Woong (South Korea). If they clean up their routines in qualifications, the final will be extremely tight.
2019 Parallel Bars World Champion Joe Fraser will compete for an event final but the road is long.
All eyes are on Zou Jingyuan (China), who is defending his Olympic title. His routine is simply mesmerizing. Some would say it is a done deal and the real competition starts with Silver, but who knows?
Joe will have to fight against the reigning World Champion Lukas Dauser (Germany), World Medalist Carlos Yulo (Philippines), and European Champion Illia Kovtun (Ukraine). Fingers crossed!
Luke, Joe and, Jake will be competing on all six apparatus and hoping to access the all around final.
If the battle for the podium will be fierce with Hashimoto Daiki of Japan and Zhang Boheng of China being the two favourites, the bronze could still be available on a good day!
New Element Alert!
Frenchman Samir Ait Said is the embodiment of strength and hope. After breaking both his legs in the last 10 years, the rings specialist is pushing his body to its limits.
He will attempt to give his name to an original element on still rings. Beginning from a hanging scale, he will do a press with straight arms and body to handstand, passing through the swallow cross position.
Will it finally allow him to step on the podium after a frustrating 4th on Tokyo? Stay tuned.
