Disappearing Act

South Korean gymnast Kim Dae-eun gestures during the men’s individual all-around competition at the BeijingOlympics Thursday. / AP-Yonhap

Yang, Kim Blanked in Men's All-Arounds

By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter

Yang Tae-young and Kim Dae-eun were eager to include themselves in the conversations about the world's best in men's gymnastics.

However, the South Koreans will now have to wait a little longer after both submitting sub-par performances at the men's all-around individuals Thursday in the Beijing Olympics.

Yang finished with 91.600 points, which was good enough for eighth, while Kim dropped out of the top 10 with 90.775 points.

The gold went to another Yang, China's Yang Wei, a two-time defending world champion, whose 94.575 points were nearly three points ahead of the silver medalist Japan's Kohei Uchimura. Benoit Caranobe of France won the bronze.

The Koreans were considered to have an outside chance to compete for the podium in both the team and individual competitions, but so far have nothing for the cupboard.

Yang could attempt for redemption next week in the men's parallel bars final, where he will be considered among the top contenders.

Kim and Yang had won the silver and bronze, respectively, in the all-around competition in Athens four years ago, but took themselves out of contention this time due to inconsistent performances.

Yang seemed off to a bright start, getting 16.075 points on the vault and 16.350 points on the parallel bars, briefly leading the competition after completing three of the six apparatus including the rings.

However, a disappointing 14.750 score in the horizontal bar killed the buzz. Yang scored a solid 15.225 points in floor exercises to move within reach of the silver medal, but getting only 14.300 points on the pommel horse eliminated any chance for reaching the podium.

thkim@koreatimes.co.kr

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