Rhys McClenaghan has recorded a historic first in Irish sport, becoming to first gymnast from this country to win a gold medal at the World Championship after coming out on top in the pommel horse final in Liverpool this afternoon.
One of the very best in the world in this discipline, the Down native had previously claimed European and Commonwealth gold, as well as a bronze on the world stage.
Of course, he suffered a heartbreaking end to his Olympic journey last year after falling off the pommel horse in the final.
However, he more than made up for that disappointment with his performance on this occasion.
Rhys McCleneghan wins World Championship gold
Rhys McClenaghan would produce a faultless performance on Merseyside, with this stunning routine enough to secure the gold medal.
He became the first Irish athlete to win a gold in these championships.
It's World Championships gold for Rhys McClenaghan! A brilliant performance. Here's the routine that earned him victory 🥇☘️ https://t.co/LmEOwzqBh8 #RTEsport pic.twitter.com/xaC1cQPzmd
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 5, 2022
The look of joy on his face after nailing the dismount said it all. He was awarded 8.200 for execution and 6.200 for difficulty, with the remaining competitors in the field unable to match it.
It is an incredible achievement for the 23-year old, who has now emerged victorious in three of the four biggest championships in gymnastic.
The scale of his achievement certainly wasn't lost to him, with McClenaghan lost for words when it was put to him that he had made history for his country.
🥇 Lost for words @McClenaghanRhys shows what it means to become Ireland’s first world gymnastics champion pic.twitter.com/Csu4L9rQR4
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 5, 2022
What a man.
Speaking to RTE soon after, he explained his reaction during that moment.
'I’m just living in this moment...the moment I became world champion and I couldn’t be happier right now’ - Rhys McClenaghan basking in the glory of gold at the World Championships pic.twitter.com/Z4MqGTXHwk
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 5, 2022
It was just because it was the first time somebody called me a world champion. Something just switched in my head, I burst into tears and couldn't get one word out.
It just shows how much this means to me, it's a childhood dream come true. It's something I've been working for for so many years and I'm so glad that it paid off today.
Rhys McClenaghan will bask in the glory of this achievement for a short while, although knowing how determined he is, he will no doubt already have one eye on completing that set of gold medals when he travels to Paris in 2024.
Nobody would deserve the honour more. He will certainly have the entire country behind him.
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