The Olympic gymnasts were back at it Sunday afternoon after a two-day break, and tiny Simone Biles – the seemingly unflappable 4-8 dynamo who already clinched all-around and team gold medals – proved her superiority once again.
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Needing only to average more than 15.253 to win gold in the vault, Biles scored a 15.900 on her first attempt and then did even better on her second with a 16.033.
-American Madison Kocian won silver on the uneven bars, with Russia’s Aliya Mustafina taking gold and Germany’s Sophie Scheder winning bronze.
Simone Biles achieved what was expected of her, but it’s the other Simone who has dominated headlines the last few days in Rio.
Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil – USA’s Simone BILES launches herself on the vault during the Women’s Individual All-Around Final Thursday at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics.
Rose’s victory was similarly historic.
Whitlock’s floor win was something of a surprise.
The U.S. will learn its quarterfinal opponent following Monday’s three Group B games.
However, going third of eight, he put in a stunning, nearly error-free, performance in the first of the individual apparatus finals, and mistakes from the likes of Kenzo Shirai and Samuel Mikulak saw him hold on to top spot. The Brits added a team bronze in London four years ago and the momentum has continued to build. Smith’s silver gave him three on pommels in his career and Whitllock’s sublime routine had the teammates standing side by side on the podium as the Union Jack was raised and “God Save the Queen” played over the loudspeakers. Whitlock’s score of 15.633 was just enough to edge Hypolito, who finished with a 15.533.
-Alexander Naddour won bronze for the United States in the pommel horse final Sunday at the Rio Games.
“Jeez, I’ve been trying to stay off the internet because it has just been so much negativity, and I’m like, ‘What?’ ” Douglas said.
India’s Dipa Karmakar made history by being the first female gymnast from her country to compete in the Olympics and make an event final by finishing fourth.
Golf will return to the Olympics for the first time since the 1904 St. Louis Games, when 46-year-old insurance salesman George Seymour Lyon of Canada won the title just eight years after first picking up a golf club. Oksana Chusovitina’s seventh trip to the Olympics ended with a seventh-place finish for the 41-year-old from Uzbekistan.
Asked about Chusovitina’s longevity, Biles’ coach Aimee Boorman said: “It’s ridiculous”.
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In the men’s pommel horse, US gymnast Alexander Naddour won the bronze medal, scoring 15.700.
