CHINA DAILY MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2012 olympics 3 Wow! Zou defends his Olympic fl oor title

Chinese star collects a handful of gold medals

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China’s successfully defended his Olympic men’s fl oor title on Sunday to deny Japanese superstar Kohei Uchimura his second gymnas- tics gold medal of the London Games. Zou’s score of 15.933 was suffi cient to give him his second gold medal of the competition, aft er his role in Chi- na’s success in the team fi nal, and his fi ft h Olympic gold in all. “This medal means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s my fi ft h Olympic gold medal and I’ve won the most Olympic gold medals in the Chinese team now.” Zou claimed three gold medals at the Olympics four years ago and he can repeat the feat if he prevails in Tuesday’s fi nal. Uchimura fi nished with the same score as ’s Denis Ablyazin — 15.800 — but the Japanese took the silver medal on account of his higher execution score. PHOTOS BY ASSOCIATED PRESS “Although I wasn’t able to get gold Clockwise from top left: Chinese gymnast Zou Kai and his coach hold a today, I think I did really well, so I am banner that reads “Five Gold Crown the World” after Zou won the gold for satisfi ed. I have to admit that Zou Kai the men’s fl oor exercise fi nals on Sunday; Gold medal winner, Romanian did very well,” said Uchimura, who gymnast Sandra Raluca Izbasa, performs during the artistic was crowned individual all-around women’s fi nal; and gold medalist gymnast Krisztian Berki of Hungary champion on Wednesday. performs during the men’s fi nal. “I can’t say I’m satisfi ed ending up with just one gold, but it was very hard sat down on her landing on her sec- moved into to get that one Olympic gold medal. ond attempt, allowing Izbasa to snatch second place with a score of 14.783, Th ere’s something about the Olym- the title with a score of 15.191 points. but she was pushed into third when pics that is hard to predict.” Maroney was left with the silver Paseka claimed the lead. Tomas Gonzalez, bidding to win medal, while Russia’s Maroney produced a huge ’s fi rst Olympic gymnastics med- The 24-year-old from hearts as he dramatically snatched the when his ranking fl ashed up but with came third. vault worth 15.866 to stake a claim al, fi nished fourth, with America’s Jake looked even more assured than Olympic pommel horse gold medal teammate earning It is Izbasa’s second Olympic for gold but then disaster arrived on Dalton fi ft h. Uchimura and stuck every landing on Sunday despite earning the same bronze, it made it the most success- gymnastics gold, after her her second vault, as she sat down her Uchimura was the fi rst man to take perfectly, except for a tiny hop for- score as home favorite . ful day for at an title in Beijing four years ago, and landing before stalking from the to the fl oor mat at the North Green- ward after his final tucked double Smith had raised hopes of ending Olympics. follows on from the bronze medal in anger. wich Arena on Sunday. somersault. Britain’s 116-year wait for an Olympic Also on Sunday, ’s Sandra she won with Romania in the team Her overall score of 15.083 took her Th e reigning world fl oor champion The three medalists were the first gymnastics champion aft er he topped Izbasa exploited an error by American fi nal on Tuesday. up to fi rst, but she was immediately made a confi dent start and closed his men to complete their routines, mean- qualifying but he could not match the favorite McKayla Maroney to claim ’s Janine Berger set the pipped by 22-year-old Izbasa, who routine with a stuck triple twist som- ing Zou had a long wait until Gonzalez’s flamboyant power and precision of the Olympic gold medal in the wom- early pace with a pair of vaults that produced two solid vaults to claim ersault that earned him a generous score of 15.366 confi rmed he was still Berki’s routine, which edged the gold en’s vault fi nal. earned her a score of 15.016, before her second Olympic title and leave round of applause. the Olympic champion. thanks to a higher execution score. The reigning world champion, Canada’s Elsabeth Black had to with- Maroney distraught. His lead did not last for long, how- Meanwhile, double world cham- Th e duo both earned 16.066, leav- 16-year-old Maroney produced an draw aft er hurting her left leg when ever, as Zou immediately bettered him. pion Krisztian Berki broke British ing Smith looking rather disappointed outstanding opening vault but then she fell on her fi rst vault. AFP—REUTERS