(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fawad Hussain / The Peninsula
DOHA: Japanese legend Kohei Uchimura and World champion Xiao Ruoteng of China suffered setbacks as they failed to qualify for the finals of FIG Artistic Individual World Cup that kicked off at the Aspire Dome in Doha yesterday.
Uchimura, also famous as ‘King Kohei', returning from an injury was not at his best as he failed to qualify for the finals for both pommel horse and rings events.
A tough competition was expected between the two rivals but in-form Ruoteng also failed to go through of pommel horse competition.
With top eight athletes to qualify, Ruoteng finished 11 in pommel horse with 13.633 points, two places ahead of Uchimura who won 13.233 points.
‘King Kohei' also failed to qualify in the rings after a performance that lent him 14.366 points. Chinese Taipei's Chih Kai Lee topped the pommel horse qualification with 15.200 points while Radivilov Igor of Ukraine topped in rings with 15.066 points.
Uchimura, however, was not dejected with his performance.
'As I was coming after injury, I was not able to give my best, said the Japanese star.
'But I am happy to return to high profile action and I hope I will return to my best soon, he said before praising event's arrangements in Doha.
' I am very happy with the facilities and hospitality of the people in Doha.
'I will definitely like to return for the World Championships later this year, said the legendary gymnast.
The men's floor exercise event saw Sato Takumi of Japan seizing top place with a total of 14.433 points.
Meanwhile, veteran gymnast Oksana Chusovitina looks all set to defend her last year's vault gold after she eased to top spot in the qualifying yesterday.
The 43-year-old Uzbek claimed 14.283 points to beat Korean Rye Yong Pyon. 14.166
In women's uneven bars, Erwael Nina of Belgium shone to secure top spot with 15.233 points.
Qatar's Elkeky Jana (pole vault) and Mosa Ahmed (pommel horse) also gained valuable experience by competing alongside the top gymnasts.
The qualifying rounds of the event will continue today with the finals scheduled for last two days of the event.
Over 360 gymnasts from 39 countries are taking part in the four-day competition which is dubbed as dress rehearsal for World Championships, which will also be hosted in Doha later this year.
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