Men's Still Rings Final
 2012 London Olympics
When: Monday, Aug. 6 - 9:00 a.m. ET



ARTHUR ZANETTI TAKES DOWN REIGNING CHAMP CHEN YIBING!



Brazil's Arthur Zanetti upset the still rings master and reigning Olympic champion Chen Yibing to take gold in the still rings final, earning a final score of 15.9 (6.8/9.1).

The standard was set early on by Chen, who began the meet by posting a daunting 15.8, capped off by a gorgeous full-twisting double layout dismount (opens out of second flip). With a smile, Chen then sat back to watch the challenge from his fellow competitors.

Through six gymnasts, Chen Yibing's total would stand. It was not until the final performer - Arthur Zanetti, silver medalist at last year's World Championships - landed his dismount that a new champion would be crowned. With increased difficulty of 6.8 and crisp strength elements, Zanetti easily came out on top, scoring 15.9 even with a small step on his dismount.

Russia's Aleksandr Balandin stuck a piked double front to score 15.666, while veteran Matteo Morandi of Italy showed smooth control of the apparatus. A small hop on his dismount kept Morandi's total at 15.733, just behind Chen Yibing.

Both Tommy Ramos (PUR) and Denis Ablyazin would come close to the leaders, but still ended out of the medals in this deep field. Ramos performed a 6.8 D-score routine, landing slightly off balance after his dismount (15.6). Ablyazin threw a rare double-twisting double layout dismount, but a step and only a 6.6 D-score resulted in a 15.633 total.

Bulgaria's Jordan Jovtchev performed his final routine in the final, placing seventh. Admittedly tired and beat up, Jovtchev touched his knee down on a full-twisting double layout to score 15.108. The crowd showed its appreciation of the six-time Olympian, warmly applauding as he walked off the podium one last time.


QUOTES FROM THE MEDALISTS:

"I was surprised because CHEN (CHN) is a fantastic gymnast and the fact that I had a higher score is the result of many years of hard work."
 - Arthur Nabarette Zanetti

"I did a lot of psychological work - it's not easy to withstand the pressure. I did a great deal to cope with the pressure. There are many variables to consider, execution or low score. You have to assess your own reaction when there's a change, so as not to have a negative impact."
- Arthur Nabarette Zanetti

 

"I think I already did my best - what I've been training for. When the score (Nabarrete Zanetti's) came up I was a little disappointed because the landing of the Brazilian wasn't great. But I have to congratulate him because he did very well."
- Chen Yibing

On his performance today compared to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games where he won gold:
"Today, compared to Beijing, I think I was better. Psychologically and physically I was well prepared. I was very familiar with my routine. I thought I performed better."
- Chen Yibing

"I'm thrilled. My objective was to make the podium. It is something I have never done before (at an Olympics). The colour of the medal matters, but I'm happy that I got the bronze."

- Matteo Morandi 

2012 OLYMICS STILL RINGS FINAL RESULTS:
1. Arthur Zanetti (BRA)- 15.9 (GOLD)
2. Chen Yibing (CHN)- 15.8 (SILVER)
3. Matteo Morandi (ITA)- 15.733 (BRONZE)
4. Aleksandr Balandin (RUS)- 15.666
5. Denis Ablyazin (RUS)- 15.633
6. Tommy Ramos (PUR)- 15.6
7. Jordan Jovtchev (BUL)- 15.108
8. Federico Molinari (ARG)- 14.733

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7/28/12
Jovtchev Makes Rings Final at Age 39



Bulgaria's Jordan Jovtchev has advanced to the still rings final in London, qualifying in the eighth position.  The 2012 Olympics are Jovtchev's sixth Games, and he will close his last Olympics in the final.  For more on Jovtchev, read Anne's story on him HERE.

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7/28/12

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EVENT HISTORY

Past World Champions
2011 Chen Yibing (CHN)
2010 Chen Yibing (CHN)
2009 Yan Mingyong (CHN)
2007 Chen Yibing (CHN)

Past Olympic Champions 
2008 Chen Yibing (CHN)
2004 Dimosthenis Tampakos (GRE)
2000 Szilveszter Csollany (HUN)
1996 Yuri Chechi (ITA)

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EVENT PREVIEW

2012 Olympic Medal Contenders


Chen Yibing, China
While he's dominated the rings throughout his career, the two-time defending World Champion and gold medalist from Beijing suffered a minor knee injury just weeks before the London Games.  Will he be able to defend his title?

Aleksandr Balandin, Russia
In London, Balandin represents one of Russia's best medal chances on still rings.  With the second highest D-score in the world (6.9), Balandin has been pushing the 16.0 mark in 2012.

Arthur Zanetti, Brazil
Silver medalist at last year's World Championships, Zanetti will again be at the top of the pack in London.  So far in 2012, Zanetti has scored as high as 15.925 on rings.


Koji Yamamuro, Japan
Throughout the quad, Yamamuro has been in contention for rings medals, winning bronze at last year's Worlds and taking fourth in Rotterdam 2010.  In London, Yamamuro will again be a medal favorite, scoring as high as 15.75 in 2012.

Matteo Morandi, Italy
A veteran on rings, Morandi won his first World Championship medal in 2002.  Recently, Morandi has kept near the top, winning bronze in 2010 and finishing fourth at the Tokyo World Championships last year.


Jonathan Horton, USA
A finalist at last year's World Championships, Horton placed seventh despite sustaining an ankle injury earlier in the competition.  Scoring as high as 15.5 this year, Horton has an outside shot at a medal in London.



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