Berki lives up to top billing to claim gold

By ND Prashant/Doha

Hungarian Olympic gold medallist Krisztian Berki lived up to his reputation and came up with a clinical performance in his pet event -the men’s pommel horse - to claim gold with a score of 15.450 at the 6thFIG Artistic Gymnastics World Challenge Cup at the Aspire Dome yesterday.

The second place was bagged by Japan’s Jumpie Oka with a score of 15.125 and the bronze was claimed by Berki’s compatriot Vid Hidbegi.

“This is my second visit to Qatar and on the last occasion also I had won gold. I have managed to keep that record intact and that’s a good feeling,” said a jubilant Berki after the medals ceremony.

Berki went on to add that the Olympic medal has changed his life completely. “It has changed things for me overnight as everyone recognises me on the streets now. But with that has come responsibilities. I have become a role model and children look up to me,” said Berki, who won gold in 2012 London Olympics with a score of 16.066.

However, it was a disappointing day for Commonwealth Games gold medallist Prashanth Sellathurai of Australia. Despite having the highest score of 6.900 in difficulty, he struggled in execution and finished seventh with a total of 14.450.

Ten-time European medallist Flavius Koczi of Romania finished last in the pommel horse but went on to claim gold in the men’s floor with a score of 14.925. Brazilian Arthur Oyakawa bagged silver with a fine routine that fetched him a score of 14.900, while the bronze was claimed by Rok Klavora of Slovakia, who accumulated a score of 14.700 for his effort.

Vietnam’s Thanh Thi Hà Phan stole the show in the women’s vault by claiming gold with a score of 14.825, ahead of London Olympic team bronze medallist Andreea Larisa Iordache, who managed a score of 14.675.

In 2011, Phan had become the first gymnast to win a world medal for Vietnam, claiming the bronze on the vault at the 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo, Japan.

“I’m very happy with the result. Everything went well for me. The result is big boost for me keeping in mind the world championships,”said Phan, who missed out on a medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. The bronze went to Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland with a score of 14.662.

China’s Jiaxin Tan was at her best in the women’s uneven bars and a stunning routine gave her a score of 14.850 for gold. The second and third place went to Great Britain’s Ruby Harrold (14.500) and Garbrielle Jupp (13.925).

“I did well in the routine and I’m pretty happy about that. This is my first appearance in Doha and to bag silver is good,” said 16-yr-old Harrold, who was in the Great Britain reserves during the London Games.

Brazilian Olympic Champion Arthur Nabarrete went on win the last event of the evening, the men’s rings final with an impressive score of 15.700. China’s Qiuhua Liao clinched sliver with 15.425, while the bronze went to Armenian Arthur tovmasyan with 15.400.

Bottom: gymnasts pose with their medals.