Rio Olympics 2016: Max Whitlock wins second gold medal in under two hours by clinching pommel horse title


MAX WHITLOCK scooped an incredible two gold gymnastics medals in under two hours at the Olympics – beating tearful fellow Brit Louis Smith into pommel silver.

Whitlock clinched a shock gold in the floor event earlier this evening before climbing back on the horse and doing the business in his favourite event.

Louis Smith and Max Whitlock celebrate yet more British Olympic medals
Louis Smith and Max Whitlock celebrate yet more British Olympic medals
Whitlock and Louis Smith embrace after both scooping Olympic medals
Whitlock and Smith embrace after both scooping Olympic medals
Smith shed tears of joy after people questioned his Olympic selection
Smith shed tears of joy after people questioned his Olympic selection
Whitlock on the pommel during his routine that grabbed him a second gold
Whitlock on the pommel during his routine that grabbed him a second gold
Whitlock won gold with a score of 15.966
Whitlock won gold with a score of 15.966
Whitlock shows incredible athleticism in his favourite event
Whitlock shows incredible athleticism in his favourite event
Whitlock wowed the Rio crowd with his silky skills on the pommel
Whitlock wowed the Rio crowd with his silky skills on the pommel
Max Whitlock with the Union Jack after the Brit's second gold in under two hours
Whitlock with the Union Jack after the Brit's second gold in under two hours

It took Whitlock's Rio medal tally to three, having bagged bronze in the all-round event on Wednesday.

Smith went fifth and took the lead with a score of 15.833.

But Whitlock then came along and beat him with the penultimate attempt, taking gold with 15.966.

It meant the pair could enjoy the national anthem together on the podium, with Smith bursting into tears of pride when he received his medal.

Whitlock said: "I really can't put it into words. I've completely outdone myself - it's incredible.

"The floor gold was a surprise. I go in to do my job. For hours and hours in the gym, years and years, and you get about one minute to show what you've been working on.

"To do it at the Olympics today, I just don't know what to say. I'm so, so happy.

"Hopefully this will do a lot for gymnastics, making history for Team GB and hopefully me and Lewis can spur the youngsters on."

An emotional Smith added: "It's just incredible. So many different emotions and I would like to have got a gold but to be here is just an incredible achievement in itself.

"I received so much negative comments when the team selection was made and that I shouldn't be in the team.

Smith could not stop the tears flowing on the podium
Smith could not stop the tears flowing on the podium
Smith almost pulled off victory with a brilliant display
Smith almost pulled off victory with a brilliant display
Louis Smith took the lead but Whitlock beat him into silver
Louis Smith took the lead but Whitlock beat him into silver
Whitlock knew he had done the business as soon as he finished his routine
Whitlock knew he had done the business as soon as he finished his routine
Whitlock grins as he celebrates with his personal coach Scott Hannn
Whitlock grins as he celebrates with his personal coach Scott Hannn

"To have messed up in the team final and a week until now, I was dealing with a lot emotionally and mentally.

"To come out and do that routine means so much.

"The amount of pride I'm feeling right now, because I've been speaking to my mum at home a lot, she's been worried sick.

"To go through that under that much pressure it means so much.

"I don't know if this is going to by my last Olympics but doing that routine, I'm so happy."

American Alexander Naddour picked up bronze with 15.700.

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