Dazzling Douglas claims all-round gold

London: American Gabrielle Douglas could not stop smiling and waving to the crowd after bagging gold in the women`s individual all-round final at the North Greenwich Arena.

The 17-year-old Douglas, nicknamed "the flying squirrel", clinched top spot with a total of 62.232 points.

Viktoria Komova and Aliya Mustafina won silver and bronze for Russia.

Douglas said: "I just wanted to go out there and show everyone what I was capable of.

"My coach has prepared me well. He told me my training will not go in vain. So there I was, just cruising and now I am on cloud nine."

The American gymnast retained her winning spot throughout each rotation, securing a second gold medal after winning the team all-round finals previously.

She said: "Of course, there was pressure. But that is what should help us do greater and better things."

Disappointed Komova broke down in tears after losing the gold to Douglas again as she did in the team all-round event.

The Russian ranked first after the qualifiers and was hoping to turn the tables.

She said: "I am proud of my achievement but, nevertheless, I am disappointed because I wanted to get the gold.

"I did quite well except the vault. I wish I had done better."

But Komova was quick to acknowledge the American`s win.

She said: "Gaby performed beautifully without a single mistake. She truly deserves the gold medal."

Mustafina made a comeback to clinch the bronze after a fall at the beam bar.

She said: "I was not expecting any medal at all after my fall. It is very difficult to be in the leading three after any such incident."

BDST: 1519 HRS, August 3, 2012
Edited by
Chanchal Ghosh, Newsroom Editor