Newtownards star Rhys McClenaghan says winning Olympic gold was a “dream come true” as he brought about the completion of a plan formed by coach Luke Carson and mum Tracy that was ten years in the making.
The 25-year-old produced a near flawless display to hold off shock silver medallist Nariman Kurbanov of Kazakhstan and two-time defending champion Max Whitlock and secure gold, the fourth won by a Northern Irish athlete at this year’s Games.
McClenaghan performed fourth and knew he would have to score well as Kurbanov, performing first, set the target with a stunning performance with a score of 15.433, with Whitlock performing second but unable to match the Kazakh, scoring 15.200.
But McClenaghan showed the supreme talent that means he is the defending world and European champion, swallowing the pressure to produce a routine that scored 15.533, enough to secure Ireland’s first ever artistic gymnastics gold medal.
“It feels good. It feels really good. It’s a dream come true. I can’t believe I did it on this day,” beamed two-time world champion McClenaghan.
“(I set out) to do what I’ve practiced every single day in the gym and do myself proud in that aspect. I’ve already done myself proud by making it here today, but to do my job and come out on top is a dream come true.
“We set a long-term plan at the age of 14, my coach met with my mum and said, ‘This kid could be the best in the world on the pommel horse.’ That plan developed and came to fruition today.”
It was also a case of redemption for McClenaghan, who went into the Olympics in Tokyo three years ago with designs on at least finishing on the podium if not claiming gold then, but a mistake during his routine meant he finished a disappointing seventh.
On this occasion, however, there would be no denying him. Despite admitting there is always room for improvement, the newly crowned champion produced the best score he’s ever recorded in a competition to bring home the gold.
“I started to look around the arena when I finished competing, and when I looked around the arena after I did my routine and scored my personal best score, my emotions were through the roof,” added McClenaghan.
“I was incredibly proud to do all the Irish fans here proud and to create history for the country.
“I knew (winning gold) was possible. I knew it was possible back in Tokyo as well but it didn’t happen. This was the comeback I needed.
“There’s always room for improvement. I want to go back into the gym right now and work on those improvements but my coach won’t let me! That’s okay, I think he’s right in this situation, we need to celebrate our Olympic success.”
With his victory, Northern Ireland have now won four gold medals at this year’s Olympics which eclipses their total for every other Games combined, McClenaghan following in the footsteps of swimmers Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillan and rower Hannah Scott.
Kurbanov’s routine was enough to bring home the silver for Kazakhstan, with the USA’s Stephen Nedoroscik scoring 15.300 to take bronze.
Whitlock would finish fourth in his final ever competitive event, the 2016 and 2020 pommel horse gold medallist retiring at the conclusion of the Games.