STUTTGART (Germany): Russia’s Nikita Nagornyy expected a sleepless night in Stuttgart after winning the men’s all-around world title on Friday — worrying about his wife who is also competing this weekend at the world gymnastics championships.
Nagornyy, 22, pipped defending champion Artur Dalaloyan to gold as Russia took first and second.
He also earned the first individual world title of his career having claimed bronze behind Dalaloyan in Doha last year.
“I am very happy. It’s better than last year, it’s gold-silver for us, instead of gold-bronze,” joked Nagornyy.
However, Nagornyy expected to spend Friday night worrying about wife Daria Spiridonova, who qualified in second
place for Saturday’s uneven bars.
Spiridonova, 21, won the 2015 world title but faced stiff competition in the final from US star Simone Biles and reigning champion Nina Derwael of Belgium.
“I am very nervous for her, more than I am for myself,” he said, with the couple who married in December to spend the night apart.
Nagornyy was also in action again yesterday in the floor exercise. – AFP
