Rhys McClenaghan has done it all.
A European, World, Commonwealth and Olympic champion on the pommel horse, he is undeniably one of the sport’s greats, but we’ve been warned to expect ‘Rhys 2.0’ in Glasgow.
Northern Ireland’s gymnastics golden boy – who secured Ireland’s first Olympic gymnastics medal with his gold in Paris two years ago – was forced into a spell on the sidelines last year with a shoulder injury, but he is ready to bring a new routine over to Glasgow.
“The Commonwealth Games is a good chance to show your work in progress. At the Olympic Games, you want to see your finished product,” he said.
“It’s going to be a work in progress, but hopefully one that is the best in the world too.
“Part of me is striving be like a younger Rhys, but the reality is I’m doing a completely new routine and the rule changes have pushed me into that direction, that’s the Rhys 2.0 there.”
McClenaghan won gold eight years ago, pipping England’s Max Whitlock – who has been forced to withdraw from these Games with injury – before collecting silver in Birmingham four years ago.
He was the first gymnast to complete the Grand Slam and so arrives at these Games as one of Team NI’s wise auld heids – despite only being 26 years old.
It’s a frightening prospect for the rest of the field. Even more frightening is the fact he’s rebooting for version 2.0.
Men’s pommel horse final: The Arena on Monday, 27 July.
