Sport

Tokyo 2020: Team Ireland profiles - Rhys McClenaghan (Gymnastics)

Former European champion has high hopes of a medal in Tokyo

Ireland’s Rhy McClenaghan struck gold in the men’s pommel horse final at the European Championships in Glasgow. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images
Ireland’s Rhy McClenaghan struck gold in the men’s pommel horse final at the European Championships in Glasgow. Photograph: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images
Ian O'Riordan
Sat Jul 17 2021 - 02:30

Event: Men's Pommel Horse

Age: 21

Club: National Gymnastics Training Centre

From Newtownards in Co Down, McClenaghan made history by becoming the first Irish gymnast to win a medal at the 2018 European Championships when he claimed gold in the pommel horse. In 2019, he went better again, the first Irish gymnast to win a medal at the World Championships when he won bronze in the pommel horse, securing his place in the Tokyo Games in the process. He turns 22 just days before his competition with his new routine poised to push close to gold if he can pull it off.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics