Zou Jingyuan of China delivered a near-perfect performance on Monday, securing his Olympic title in parallel bars on the final day of artistic gymnastics at the Paris Games. This victory marked Zou’s third medal in Paris, following his silver in the team event with his Chinese teammates, who narrowly lost to Japan, and his silver medal in the rings event.
Zou, a three-time world champion in the discipline, showcased his exceptional skills, earning gold ahead of Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun. Shinnosuke Oka of Japan, the all-around champion, secured the bronze medal.
The final gold medal of the men’s competition will be decided later Monday on the horizontal bar, offering another chance for China to add to their impressive Olympic medal count. Zhang Boheng, with his top score in qualifying, is poised to contribute to this potential achievement.
Kovtun initiated the parallel bars event with a demanding routine that included a breathtaking handstand on one rail, captivating the judges and earning him a score of 15.500. He held the lead until Zou’s awe-inspiring performance, marked by a score of 16.200. His routine seamlessly blended strength elements with impressive aerials, culminating in a flawless dismount. This marked the highest single score in artistic gymnastics at the Paris Games.
Zou’s remarkable achievement makes him the first gymnast since Japan’s Sawao Kato in 1976 to successfully defend his Olympic parallel bars title. His dominance on the apparatus is a testament to his dedication and skill, solidifying his position as one of the world’s leading gymnasts.
