Japan leads the way as first men’s artistic gymnastics teams qualify for Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Top eight at world championships in Glasgow book Olympic spots, with Brazil claiming an unprecedented berth
Kohei Uchimura in action on the pommel horse in Glasgow (Getty Images/Alex Livesey)
The first places in the men’s artistic gymnastics competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games have been confirmed after eight teams won slots for their nations via the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships in Glasgow.
After the USA headed a group of eight women’s teams to qualify for Rio, Japan led the way in the men’s event, topping the list of teams to reach the final in Scotland and thus earn berths in Brazil, the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has confirmed.
Led by five-time world and reigning Olympic champion Kohei Uchimura, the Japanese finished ahead of China, Great Britain, Russia, USA, Switzerland, Brazil and Republic of Korea. The outcome is a major success for Brazil, featuring Olympic rings champion Arthur Zanetti, who have never qualified for the men’s team event at an Olympic Games before.
The Olympic dream lives on for another eight nations – Germany, France, Ukraine, Netherlands, Spain, Canada, Romania and Belarus – who will compete for four spots in the Olympic Games team compeition at the Rio 2016 Test Event in April.
