Brinn Bevan’s brilliant parallel bars routine was among the highlights for Team Wales as the men’s artistic Team final and individual qualification got the gymnastics action under way at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The 25-year-old Olympian rarely disappoints on his favourite piece of apparatus and he wowed the packed Arena Birmingham crowd with a massive score of 14.450 to comfortably secure his place in Tuesday’s final – where he is aiming to go even bigger.
“There are a few things I can improve on and tidy up; I’m looking to touch a 15. I know that is big ask, but that is my goal,” he said.
Meanwhile teammates Joe Cemlyn-Jones, Josh Cook and Emil Barber will also be back out on the competition floor in the next few days after securing themselves individual final qualification.
Joe and Josh will be back for the men’s individual all-around final on Sunday morning; All-around specialist Joe qualified in 12th with a total score of 77.050 across his six pieces with Josh – competing at his second Games – just behind in 15th with a total of 75.900.
Just behind him with 75.850 was Jacob Edwards who was also inside the top 18 for all-around final qualification – but the Olympus gymnast misses out due to the two gymnasts per country rule.
Joe will also return for the floor final having qualified in sixth (13.400) with Emil also impressing during his routine to score 13.650 and qualify in fourth.
Emil will take his place in the vault final, qualifying himself in fifth place with an average of 14.175 for his two vaults.
The top eight across each piece of apparatus qualified for finals. Josh is also first reserve for the high bar final, while Joe is third reserve for the vault final.
In the Team event, Wales ended in sixth place but more than played their part in a quite absorbing competition.
For the nations bidding for Team glory, at least four gymnasts must compete on each apparatus with the top three scores counting towards the Team total.
Competing in the second of three subdivisions, Wales put a total score of 236.300 on the scoreboard to hit the front – before watching on as the teams in the third subdivision then competed in the evening session.
However, ultimately, Wales’ efforts would not be enough to get them on the podium this time, as England (254.550) secured a third consecutive title, ahead of Canada (241.200) and Cyprus (239.650).