Gymnastics Olympic Qualifications 2012: Men Who Emerged as Stars During Quals

Louis Smith and Danell Leyva emerged as men’s gymnastics stars during Saturday’s 2012 Olympic Qualification round. Smith broke into tears in front of his home crowd as he realized what he had just done. While it may be just the qualifier for the real deal to come on Monday, Smith has much to be proud of.

He chalked up a 15.8, the No. 1 score on one of the toughest gymnastics events—the pommel horse. His excellent performance also helped his country’s team position itself nicely into second place and into the team final. This is pertinent because Britain hasn’t accomplished this feat since 1924.

For Smith, his success didn’t begin today. Coming into the 2012 Olympics, he earned the title of team captain for the British team. In 2008, he earned a bronze medal on the pommel horse.

Although he was very impressive and contributed to his team’s surge, Smith wasn’t the only star on the mats on Saturday.

The first-place Americans had their own impressive performance by Danell Leyva.

Leyva’s performance is not exactly a surprise, but he definitely hurtled himself and his country into the forefront of the men’s gymnastics all-around crown discussion.

The all-around skills Leyva brings to the table are unparalleled by anyone else in this competition. The versatility he demonstrates was on full display during this year’s Olympic Trials, as he took first in the all-around there as well.

If they can both follow up their excellent performances on Monday when it counts the most, they will have solidified their emergence as the best of the best in the world of men’s gymnastics.

For Smith, it is only fitting that he and his team are restoring their nation’s relevancy to the sport while their country hosts the Games and eagerly looks on.

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