Dalaloyan clinches gold in tie-breaker

DOHA: Russia, yesterday avenged their men’s team defeat to China as Artur Dalaloyan dethroned Xiao Ruoteng in tie-breaker to win his maiden all-around title at the 48th Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018.

At Aspire Dome, defending champion Ruoteng, needing 14.234 points in his last routine of horizontal bars to retain his title, managed 14.233 points only to tie score with the Russian, as both the gymnasts finished with 87.598 apiece bringing the tie-breaker rule into effect.

Four-time European champion Dalaloyan turned out to be the winner after the judges threw out each gymnast’s lowest score from the six routines. With the triumph, he became the first Russian man to clinch the all-around title since 1999.

“When I saw the results I immediately saw that 2 came next to (Xiao’s) name and, of course, I felt happy and amazing,” the Russian told reporters yesterday after winning the title.

With Ruoteng had to content with a silver medal, Dalaloyan’s team-mate Nikita Nagornyy took bronze for Russia with a score of 86.331. China’s Sun Wei (85.898) and America’s Sam Mikulak (85.273) finished on 4th and 5th positions respectively.

On the opening day of the finals at Doha Worlds on Monday, China snatched men’s team gold medal from Russia after edging their opponents by just 0.49 points, and it was an even close fight yesterday but this time Dalaloyan ensured his team is not deprived of the title.

The 22-year-old was superb in parallel bars – his penultimate routine, scoring 15.566 to take edge over Ruoteng heading into the decisive routine.

“It’s a super feeling to win gold after we fell to silver medal against China in team final,” said Dalaloyan.

“I had only one goal, and that was to perform my job from beginning to end without mistakes. I was surprised and can’t say anything more. I’m just so happy. I feel good, excellent. I can’t believe it yet. I need to probably go to my hotel, take a deep breath and realise that yes, I won this championship,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ruoteng was dejected after he failed to defend his crown in tie-breaker.

“I feel pity about that but I respect the judges and my rival. I basically want to be number one but anyway I am still happy with the result,” said the top Chinese gymnast.

“There was a little pressure (on being the last performer), but not so much, because I know how to adjust myself and give my best. I am satisfied with my performance.” He added he had a little idea about his target in the final routine.

“I don’t pay so much attention to that. I just wanted to be myself and try to do my best to perform my routine.” “When I return to training, I will try my best to improve and be stronger to perform better in future competitions.”

Nagornyy’s consistent performance was the difference between him and Mikulak, who was on track for a podium finish but mistakes in horizontal bars slipped the American to 5th spot with the Russian securing the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Simone Biles – a ten-time World Championships and three-time Olympic gold medalist – is favourite to win women’s all-around title today.

Coming to Doha for Biles is not just about winning medals, it’s about making records.

If Biles, who is now tied with Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman for the US record of four Olympic/world team titles, manages to win gold medal at women’s all-around final today, she will become the first female to win the crown for fourth time, surpassing, Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina.

Moreover, if Biles claims two more wins in the individual apparatus later at the Doha Worlds, she will overtake Vitaly Scherbo’s mark of 12 for the most gold medals in Worlds history.

“I am very excited, let’s see how the finals go,” the American superstar said ahead of her final.

To claim the historic all-around triumph, Biles will have to overcome her team-mate and defending champion Morgan Hurd.

“Biles is greatest of all time,” Hurd said about her chances of retaining the title.

“We wish each other the best, it’s not like we compete against each other, it’s like competing with each other,” she added.