TOKYO — Japan has the advantage — for now.
The Olympic silver medalists topped the United States and Germany in the first day of men’s qualifying at the world gymnastics championships Sunday. But the Americans are clearly making up ground, and the unforgiving format of team finals can’t come fast enough.
“We go with our top three, we are as good as anyone in the world, and we know it,” U.S. team member Jonathan Horton said. “Not to be cocky or overconfident, but we have that belief in us that we are as good as these teams, and we are just excited to put on a great competition in team finals.”
Qualifying continues today with China, the Olympic champion and winner of the last four world titles, competing along with Russia, Britain, France and Korea. The top eight earn spots at next summer’s Olympics.
Content only a few years ago with a place on the podium, the U.S. has its eyes on gold in London. It’s an audacious goal considering China and Japan have had a stranglehold on the top spot for the last 20 years, yet the Americans insist it’s possible.
“I’ve said it before and I don’t know if people believed us, but this is the best team we’ve ever had on a world championship floor,” Horton said.
The Associated Press
