After four years of rigorous preparation and competitions leading in, the world's best male gymnasts converge upon Rio for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games with the men's gymnastics competition beginning with qualifications. While medals will not be decided in qualifications, the fields for team finals, all-around finals, and event finals will be decided with the top eight teams advancing in a four up, three highest scores count scenario.
Past team results
In the past Olympics in London in 2012, it was perennial men's gymnastics powerhouses China, Japan, Great Britain, the United States, and Ukraine qualifying to the team final along Russia, Germany, and France. In London, the team competition was won by China, with Japan winning silver, and host nation Great Britain taking the bronze.
At the most recent world championships in Glasgow late last year, Japan, Great Britain, China, Russia, the U.S., Switzerland, South Korea, and Brazil qualified for the team final, with current kings of men's gymnastics Japan taking the gold medal, rising power Great Britain winning the silver, and China taking the bronze.
Olympic draw and start lists
In subdivision one at 10:30 am Brazilian time, starting on floor exercise are individual athletes from Cuba, Greece, Canada, South Africa, and Monaco. Starting on pommel horse is reigning world champions Japan and on still rings is host nation Brazil. Starting on vault is South Korea and on parallel bars are individuals from Belarus, Chile, Turkey, Israel, Belgium, Lithuania, and Colombia. Finally, starting on high bar is the Netherlands.
In subdivision two starting at 2:30 pm Brazil time, starting on floor exercise is defending team bronze medalists Great Britain and on pommel horse is France. On still rings are individual competitors from Hungary, Italy, North Korea, and Vietnam and starting on vault is 2014 world team bronze medalists the United States. Starting on pommel horse are individuals from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Norway, New Zeland, and Taiwan and starting on high bar is Germany.
Finally in subdivision three starting at 6:30 pm Brazil time, starting on floor exercise is Ukraine, on pommel horse are individuals from Croatia, Mexico, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Algeria, and Uzbekistan. On still rings is Switzerland, on vault is defending team gold medalists China, and on parallel bars are individuals from Romania, Spain, Cyprus, Finland, and Argentina, and lastly starting on high bar is Russia.
Who will advance from qualifications to team finals?
In men's gymnastics, everything begins with Japan, the reigning world champions and arguably the kings of gymnastics. With the Japanese possessing the biggest weapon in all of gymnastics, five-time Olympic medalist and record-breaking 19-time world medalist Kōhei Uchimura, the Japanese are almost a sure lock to reach the team finals.
Another team looking destined to return to the team finals. China. The Chinese have another very talented team going to the Olympics and with the experience from their gold medal win four years ago in London spurring them on to even greater heights, they are another near lock to reach the team finals.
Aside from Japan and China, no teams are sure locks to make it to the team final but reigning Olympic team bronze medalists Great Britain are looking ready to contend for even higher honors this time around lead by 2012 pommel horse bronze medalist Max Whitlock. If Great Britain is able to hit most of their routines in qualifications, they should be headed to a second straight team final.
Unlike Japan, China, and Great Britain, the U.S. Men's Gymnastics Olympic Team is looking for redemption in London. With three of the five 2012 Olympic team members back this time around in Rio, Team USA will have their eyes set on a podium finish here in Brazil. With national gold and silver medalists Sam Mikulak and Chris Brooks leading the way in qualifications and doing the all-around, the US should easily advance to the team final and be ready for a shot at Olympic glory come Monday.
Other than Japan, China, Great Britain, and the US, host nation Brazil should advance to the team finals along with Russia, Ukraine, and Germany to round out the eight teams.
Predictions:
Team Final: Japan, China, Great Britain, United States, Brazil, Ukraine, Germany, and Russia.
All-around final: Kōhei Uchimura, Ryohei Kato, Zhang Chenglong, Deng Shudi, Max Whitlock, Louis Smith, Sam Mikulak, Chris Brooks, Arthur Zanetti, Diego Hypolito, Oleg Verniaiev, Marcel Nguyen, and 12 additional athletes.
