The U.S. men’s gymnasts team was not expected to win a medal but came away with a bronze after almost leading the contest at one stage. [Chron]

Bhavsar solid in medal performance
img: via Chron

In the absence of stars Paul Hamm and Morgan Hamm because of injury, the US men’s gymnasts team was not expected to compete for a medal. It was Paul Hamm’s injury that put Raj Bhavsar through to the Olympics. [UD Link]

The US team was actually in the lead in the beginning stages.

The U.S. men, fueled by an early turn on vault, the highest-scoring event under the open-ending scoring system, actually led after three rotations and were second entering their final two events.

Then the inexperience at this level started to show.

Potential cracks in the façade became apparent on floor, and it appeared the final break may have come on pommel horse, where Kevin Tan straddled the horse toward the end of his routine and received a score of 12.775.

But a spectacular performance saw them end with a bronze.

But Artemev, who was left off the team because of his penchant for falling off the horse, his best event, came through with a score of 15.35 to salvage the bronze.

Raj Bhavsar anchored the team with consistent performances in all areas.

The Americans were fueled early on by the bold, rock-solid performances of a squad that included Houston gymnasts Jonathan Horton and Raj Bhavsar,………………

The U.S. was solid if basic on vault, recording three near sticks from Bhavsar (16.125), Horton (16.2) and Justin Spring (15.9).
Bhavsar and Horton carried the U.S. men through parallel bars with solid performances. Bhavsar scored 15.575 with a small hop on the landing, and Horton scored 15.625 with a stuck landing.

The US team almost upset China but did end up with a bronze, exceeding the expectations set for them in the absence of their star athletes.

More updates:
Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, India’s brightest hope for a medal crashed out
Boxers Jitender Kumar and Vijender Kumar are still in the running for a medal in their respective categories and so is shuttler Saina Nehwal
Their more famous counterpart Sania Mirza, on the other hand, retired hurt, raising questions about her commitment and tenacity.

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