Commonwealth Games: Gymnast Sam Oldham made a mixed start on day one of qualifying
By Sam Drury
Last Updated: 28/07/14 6:34pm
Sam Oldham had a mixed first day in the men's gymnastics in Glasgow, impressing on the floor and rings but struggling on the pommel horse.
The Team England gymnast came to the Games with aspirations of challenging for the all-around title but the focus on day one was on qualification for the individual apparatus finals and earning points for the team event, as well as making the all-around final.
Oldham made a fantastic start as England began on the floor and delivered a highly-accomplished routine to earn himself and his country a score of 15.325. It was bettered only by his team-mate Max Whitlock, who recorded a 15.600 as he got his own all-around challenge under way.
England led after the first rotation and following big scores on the pommel horse from Whitlock (15.733) and Olympic silver medalist Louis Smith (15.700), that was extended after the second apparatus.
There was frustration for Oldham, however, as an unfortunate slip cost him and he could only manage a 12.100 despite a very positive start to the routine.
Scottish challenge
Daniel Purvis was leading the Scottish challenge with a 14.700 on the rings after Dan Keatings had scored 14.533 on the pommel horse in the first rotation.
The final rotation of the day saw England on the rings and Scotland, their nearest challengers, on the floor.
Oldham was among the last athletes to go and put in a clean routine to score 14.533 and move himself up to fifth in the all-around standings with three apparatus' remaining, including his favoured horizontal bar.
Reflecting on his performance, Oldham said: “Floor and rings went well for me today, I had a bit of a slip on the pommel horse but if I am in the all-around final later on this week then hopefully I can sort that out.”
Whitlock sits on top of the standings after a 14.433 on the rings. He sits ahead of Keatings with England teenager Nile Wilson in third.
England are also well placed at the halfway stage of the team final as they lead on a score of 133.806 from Scotland (127.240) in second and Canada in third (125.380).