Russia take gold over China in historic victory

For the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union, the Russian men have won the world championships team title. They beat the People’s Republic of China, who have dominated the sport for the last 20 years. 

“It is amazing, it is unbelievable that we are the gold medalists today,” said an emotional Artur Dalaloyan afterwards. “I have been dreaming about this a long time.”

The victory came down to the last event on high bar, with both teams neck-and-neck during the competition, competing alternately in the same group.

China’s first gymnast on high bar, Sun Wei, fell off the apparatus, opening the door for the Russians to move in on the victory. The last performance of the afternoon came from Russian Nikita Nagornyy, who produced a precise routine that clinched the gold for Russia.

The bronze medal was taken by the team from Japan, in a repeat of last year’s result. In fourth place was the USA, much improved from their qualification scores, followed by Great Britain, Chinese Taipei, Switzerland and Ukraine.

China were despondent with losing the gold, but Lin Chaopan was philosophical too. “Of course we are not happy with just getting silver,” he said, “but I think somehow it could act as an alert, to remind us we are not perfect.”

The bronze medal was taken by the team from Japan, in a repeat of last year’s result. In fourth place was the USA, much improved from their qualification scores, followed by Great Britain, Chinese Taipei, Switzerland and Ukraine.