Liu Yang Defends Olympic Gymnastics Title on Still Rings

Liu Yang of China successfully defended his Olympic gymnastics title on the still rings with a score of 15.300, defeating teammate Zou Jingyuan. Liu is now one of three men to win multiple Olympic titles in this event, joining Albert Azaryan and Akinori Nakayama. Eleftherios Petrounias of Greece won bronze.

Liu Yang of China defended his Olympic gymnastics title on still rings, posting a score of 15.300 to edge teammate Zou Jingyuan in the finals on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Liu is the third man to win multiple Olympic titles in an event that requires strength and impeccable body control, joining Albert Azaryan of Russia and Akinori Nakayama of Japan.

Eleftherios Petrounias of Greece earned the bronze. Petrounias has won a medal on rings in three straight Games, having been the champion in Rio 2016 and a bronze medalist in Tokyo three years ago.

Liu's winning margin over Zou, at 15.300 to 15.233, came down to the dismount. While Zou hopped a couple of times after hitting the mat, Liu's bounce was minimal.

Samir Ait Said of France finished fourth, eight years after breaking his left leg on a vault in Rio. Said, who is aiming for Los Angeles 2028, received a score of 15.000 in front of a supportive crowd inside Bercy Arena.

Elsewhere, American Sunisa Lee will aim for her third medal in Paris in the women's uneven bars and men's vault finals later on Sunday. Lee has already secured gold in the team event and bronze in the all-around. Jake Jarman of Britain, the world champion in the men's vault, is also competing, along with Carlos Yulo of the Philippines, who recently won his country's second-ever Olympic gold in floor exercise.