Rhys McClenaghan retains European title with sublime routine in Rimini

Rhys McClenaghan on his way to victory at the European Championships in Rimini.

Keith Bailie

Newtownards man Rhys McClenaghan retained his European title with a sublime performance on the pommel horse at the Gymnastics European Championship in Italy.

World champion McClenaghan scored 15.300 to win his third European title in an already glittering career. It was a statement performance from the Irish athlete who will travel to Paris in July with his eyes trained on Olympic gold.

The 24 year-old took gold ahead of Loran De Munck of the Netherlands in second and Cypriot Marios Georgiou, who took bronze in a surprise result. The final was missing double Olympic champion Max Whitlock because of injury.

McClenaghan’s coach Luke Carson said: "This is a very proud moment. Rhys is a triple European Champion. The goal was to come here and showcase Olympic level gymnastics, and that was certainly achieved. Now we recoup, reenergise and work towards final improvements for Olympic Games"

McClenaghan has now won three European titles, two World titles and one Commonwealth Games gold.