Reigning world champion Ye Shuai of China overcame a faulty performance in qualifications and jumped to the gold medal in tonight’s final.

Ye, who qualified seventh for the final and therefore competed second, performed all 10 of his skill with height and good technique. His score of 40.40 placed pressure on the competitors who followed him, all of whom qualified higher than he for the final.

Japan’s Yasuhiro Ueyama, the reigning world bronze medalist, performed immediately after Ye. Ueyama demonstrated a level of difficulty that was similar to his Chinese opponent’s and scored 40.10.

As the only competitor other than Ye to better 40.00 points, Ueyama ultimately won the silver medal.

Dmitry Ushakov of Russia maintained his third-place position from qualifications and earned the bronze medal. His routine was secure, and nearly a match for Ye and Ueyama.

The two top qualifiers were less successful tonight. Second in qualifications, Germany’s Henrik Stehlik lost control during his routine and had to perform a simple element to continue with his next skill. The easy element greatly cost Stehlik, who finished eighth of the eight finalists.

Italy’s Flavio Cannone, who led qualifications, performed last. He lost his chance to challenge for the gold medal, however, when he landed low on the last skill of his routine. Cannone finished in fourth place./ JC