Monday 5th August 

Monday marked the finale of artistic gymnastics at the 2024 Paris Olympics. We saw strength, determination, and astonishing performances from the finalists of Vault, Parallel Bars, and Horizontal Bars.

Men’s Vault Final

Highlights:

One day after becoming the first Filipino man to win an Olympic gold (during the men’s floor finals), Carlos Yulo (PHI) clinched the top scoring performance during vault finals, earning 15.116.

Representing Armenia, Artur Davtyan previously won silver in Tokyo 2020, secured the silver medal again tonight with a score of 14.966. 

Making his Olympic debut, Harry Hepworth from Great Britain earned the bronze with a score of 14.949.

Source: REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Men’s Parallel Bars Final

Highlights

Zou Jingyuan delivered a masterful performance, scoring 16.200 to win the gold medal in the parallel bars final. Known as the 'King of P-Bars,' Zou showed flawless lines, strong balance, and a confident finish. His cheers and claps expressed his excitement as he knew he executed his performance well. This medal marks his second Olympic gold in this event, following his victory in Tokyo 2020, and adds to his recent success at the 2024 World Cup in Baku, AZE, where he placed second.

Illia Kovtun secured the silver medal with a score of 15.500, demonstrating excellent control and execution. His difficulty score was 7.000, and his execution score was 8.500.

Shinnosuke Oka earned the bronze with a score of 15.300, showcasing his flexibility and strength throughout his routine.

Source: Elsa / Getty Images

Recap:

Zhang Boheng, (CHN) performed second on the parallel bars, impressing with distance in his leaps and sharp, controlled movements. However, a low shoulder position during his landing nearly led to a fall, resulting in a score of 15.100 (8.700 execution, 6.400 difficulty).

Ferhat Arican (TUR) experienced a few execution errors, particularly with balance issues, but managed to stick his dismount beautifully. His score was 15.100 (8.200 execution, 6.900 difficulty).

Oka Shinnosuke's routine was marked by his strength and flexibility, with strong connecting movements and technical precision. He completed his routine with a perfectly stuck landing, earning a score of 15.300 (8.800 execution). 

During the podium ceremony, Zou Jingyuan humbly celebrated his victory, congratulating his fellow medallists with a broad smile.

Source: AP Images

Men’s Horizontal Bars Finals 

Highlights

For the last time for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shinnosuke Oka (JPN) takes the stage and rises on high bar, earning his third gold medal. He was second to perform, his routine was highlighted by a flawless dismount and an impressive execution score of 8.633. His final score was 14.533.

Source: REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli

Angel Barajas claimed the silver medal with a score of 14.533, matching Oka's total but losing the tie due to a lower execution score. His perfect dismount and visible excitement afterward, along with his coach's emotional reaction, marked a memorable moment. He became his country’s first ever Olympic medallist in gymnastics at just 17 years old. 

Tang Chia Hung opened the men's horizontal bars final with a strong start, showcasing a solid connection and combination. However, he experienced a fall but managed to recover and stick his landing well, earning a score of 13.966.

Zhang Boheng (CHN) tripped on his dismount but had a flawless routine. Himself and his coach showed disappointment from his dismount. His execution score 7.466. 

Hung and Boheng both scored 13.966 and shared the bronze title and podium. 

Six out of eight performers either fell from the bar or tripped/fell on their dismount. Whether this was because it was their last day of competition and their tiredness was peaking through, is unsure but valid.

Zhang slipped out of his dismount landing but managed to hold on to the bronze medal. Source: Reuters

Recap

Su Weide performed beautifully but failed to stick his dismount. Frustration and disappointment etched clearly on his face.

Marios Georgiou (BEL) had difficulty with his dismount, which resulted in a score of 13.333. His sadness and disappointment was evident after the routine.

Marios visibly upset after his knees caved in and he failed to land his dismount. Source: Reuters

Takaaki Sugino (JPN) suffered a tough performance, slipping with one hand and not landing his dismount. Despite the setbacks, he displayed grace and strength throughout his routine, scoring 11.633.

Croatia representative, Tin Srbic, won silver in Tokyo 2020, but faced challenges today as he fell off the bar twice, appearing to injure his elbow. Despite these difficulties, his perseverance and determination resonated with the crowd, who cheered him on as he successfully landed his dismount.

You could feel the sadness from Tin as he slipped twice off the bar. Source: Reuters.

And that's a wrap from the men for the 2024 Paris Olympics! Congratulations to all athletes, you should all feel so proud to of even made it to the arena, let alone become a finalist or a medal winner. We can not wait to see who will return and what new talent will erupt at the next Olympic games.