LONDON (AP) — Arthur Zanetti won the Olympic title on still rings Monday, taking down the “Lord of the Rings” in the process.
The Brazilian stunned defending Olympic gold medalist Chen Yibing, who had also won all but one of the last five world titles. When Zanetti’s 15.9 score flashed, his mouth dropped and the small crowd of Brazilian fans began waving flags and cheering.
Chen finished second. Matteo Morandi of Italy won the bronze medal.
Zanetti had finished second at last year’s world championships. But this gold was expected to go to Chen, who was so confident he acknowledged the crowd with his index finger in the air in the introductions.
Zanetti, though, was simply masterful, displaying the kind of control and strength that makes the rings so impressive.
