Rhys McClenaghan: Olympic champion wins first gold since injury

Olympic pommel horse champion Rhys McClenaghan has won his first gold medal since recovering from a shoulder injury.

McClenaghan, 26, took first place in the pommel horse final at the World Cup event in Antalya with a score of 13.900.

His competitive return to action at the previous World Cup event in Azerbaijan – his first since the 2024 Games in Paris – ended in disappointment as he failed to qualify for the final, however he bounced back in Turkey to win gold.

Posting on his social media, McClenaghan said it was “comeback complete”.

“I’m walking away from this World Cup with a gold medal but with a lot to work on.

“I have to heal up some injuries and overall make this routine better, and I know I can.”

In further success for Ireland, James Hickey was third in the pommel horse behind McClenaghan.

In the floor exercise, Eamon Montgomery claimed a silver medal after a strong performance in the final.

Montgomery qualified fifth for the final but a strong performance meant he took silver with a score of 13.833.

Ciaran Gallagher, chief executive of Gymnastics Ireland, said it was a “superb result”.

“It’s been a superb return to the circuit for our guys,” Gallagher said.

“Rhys back at the top of the podium, a well deserved return to the medals for Eamon after a long road back to competition and a well deserved podium finish for James as one of the youngest gymnasts in the field.”