‘Room for improvement’ but McClenaghan 2.0 on track

‘Room for improvement’ but McClenaghan 2.0 on trackImage source, InphoImage caption, McClenaghan finished third in qualifying for Monday’s finalByLauren McCannBBC Sport NI Journalist in GlasgowPublished7 minutes agoIf Friday’s qualifying session was only the start of Rhys McClenaghan “2.0” with his new pommel horse routine that he reported would be “a work in progress” at the Commonwealth Games, everyone is in for a treat with what will follow in this rebuild.Competing on a big stage for the first time in earnest since he peaked when completing the gymnastics ‘Grand Slam’ by winning Olympic gold in Paris two years ago, McClenaghan showed the big crowd in the Glasgow International Arena what they had been missing during his injury-enforced absence that spanned the entirety of 2025.The 27-year-old delivered a big score of 14.500 for his routine and celebrated his almost perfect execution (demonstrated by his 9.000 score) with a little dance after stepping off the pommel horse.McClenaghan exuded confidence on his approach to the apparatus, during his routine and after, when he soaked up the adulation of the crowd that was populated by a strong Northern Ireland contingent. That is to be expected from an athlete that has won it all in his sport, but despite his perceived assured exterior, McClenaghan was feeling anxious at making his return with all eyes on him and with considerable more pressure than in Birmingham four years ago given his various accolades he has collected since.”I’d be lying if I reported I wasn’t nervous, but I’m nervous for every competition, this one held a little bit more weight,” he told BBC Sport NI.”We’re at an arena on qualification day and it’s packed out, audience cheering when your name is revealed and it’s a different feeling than other gymnastics competitions.”Normally qualifications are empty, so it’s really nice to be a part of that and it felt like a finals day here and that’s why there are a few more smiles and happy faces with how the pommel routine went.”McClenaghan qualifiers for pommel horse final