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Rhys McClenaghan wins gold medal at European Artistic Gymnastics Championships

Irish gymnast won in the pommel horse event in Antalya in Turkey

Gold medallist Ireland's Rhys Mcclenaghan poses on the podium of the men's pommel horse at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics European Championships in Antalya. Photograph: Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty
Gold medallist Ireland's Rhys Mcclenaghan poses on the podium of the men's pommel horse at the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics European Championships in Antalya. Photograph: Ozan Kose/AFP via Getty
Sat Apr 15 2023 - 16:19

Rhys McClenaghan has won gold medal in the pommel horse event at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antalya, Turkey.

The Irish gymnast had topped qualifying and was first out, his score of 14.666 was 0.3 off his qualifying score. His difficulty score was one of the highest of the finalists, and was in control of his arm strength and timing.

But no other gymnast could match McClenaghan, the closest being Maxime Gentges from Belgium, who scored 14.566 for silver. Armenia’s Artur Davtyan picked up bronze with a score of 14.266.

McClenaghan now has two European golds to his name after winning in Glasgow in 2018.

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Talking about his experience of winning gold, McClenaghan said: “I couldn’t be more proud to bring home another European Title for Ireland and to my collection. It was an anxious wait going up first and not performing my best routine but  it’s definitely putting up a score that can take the title and I’m glad to be walking away from another European Championships as the European Pommel Horse Champion.”

Gymnastics Ireland National Men’s Coach, Luke Carson added: “I am exceptionally happy that Rhys completed another gold winning routine! It is great preparation for Olympic Qualification. I am very proud of Rhys today.”