LONDON (AP) — The American men will be thrilled if they can hang onto this same spot in the gymnastics team finals, finishing Saturday’s qualifying round in first place.
While defending Olympic champion China and perennial powerhouse Japan bobbled and wobbled their way through qualifying, the Americans landed atop the standings. Their final score of 275.342 was almost three points ahead of resurgent Russia (272.595). Britain managed to hang onto third place, and Germany was fourth (270.888).
Japan, the heavy favorite coming into the meet, is fifth after several uncharacteristic errors by three-time world champion Kohei Uchimura. China, which also has won the last five world titles, is sixth.
