Gymnastics: Shatilov starts fast in Tokyo

Shatilov progressed to the floor final from third place overall with a score of 15.500 points and will be hoping to add to his bronze medal.

By ALLON SINAI
tokyo japan_311 (photo credit: GIL SHEFLER)
tokyo japan_311
(photo credit: GIL SHEFLER)
Alex Shatilov got the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo off to a promising start on Monday, advancing to the finals of the All-Around and Floor competitions.
Shatilov progressed to the floor final from third place overall with a score of 15.500 points and will be hoping to add to the bronze medal he took at the championships two years ago when he takes part in Saturday’s final.
The 24-year-old qualified for Friday’s All- Around final from 22nd position overall, recording a total score of 86.732 despite disappointing showings in the Rings and Pommel horse exercises.
“I’m encouraged by the fact that I reached the final despite a bad performance in the Rings and Pommel horse.
“I have no doubt that I’ll record a better result in the final,” said Shatilov, who set the Israeli criteria for next summer’s London Olympics with Monday’s results, but will need to win a medal on Saturday if he’s to meet the IOC’s criteria before January’s Gymnastics Test Event in London.
“I came to Japan to win a medal and set the IOC’s criteria, and I took the first step today,” Shatilov said.
“I have so far achieved what I expected of myself, but it is going to be a tough final.”