Mikulak Earns High Bar Bronze at World Championships
11/5/2018 3:06:00 PM | Men's Gymnastics
DOHA, Qatar -- Former University of Michigan men's gymnast Sam Mikuak (2011-14) became the first gymnast with Wolverine ties to earn a medal at the FIG World Championships when he took third on high bar Saturday (Nov. 3).
Mikulak also led Team USA to a fourth-place finish in the team competition (Oct. 29), and he placed fifth in the all-around final with a score of 87.273 on Oct. 31. He qualified for four event finals and posted fourth-place finishes on parallel bars and pommel horse Saturday (Nov. 2) in addition to earning his bronze medal.
A two-time Olympian competing in his fifth world championship event, he entered the meet seeking his first international individual medal. In the high bar final, Mikulak was third up and nailed his routine, posting a 14.533 that held in medal contention throughout the competition. Epke Zonderland of the Netherlands easily took home the gold with his 15.100, and Kohei Uchimura of Japan claimed the silver at 14.800.
In the parallel bars final, Mikulak just missed the bronze medal, landing behind Russia's Artur Dalaloyn, 15.366 to 15.233, in the ranking. China's Zou Jingyuan was first (16.433), and Oleg Verniaiev of the Ukraine was second (15.591).
On Friday (Nov. 2), Mikulak had a solid set on pommel horse, scoring a 14.333 and finishing fourth. China's Xiao Ruteng and Great Britain's Max Witlock tied at 15.166, with Xiao getting the gold via a tiebreaker based on execution score. Lee Chih Kai of Chinese Taipei was third at 14.966. Mikulak also placed seventh on floor exercise with a 14.233. Russia's Artur Dalaloyan won with a 14.900, followed by Japan's Kenzo Shirai at 14.866.
In team competition on Oct. 28, the United States (251.994) was edged out by Japan (253.744) for the team bronze, while China (256.634) and Russia (256.585) occupied the top two spots. Mikulak had the top score for Team USA on still rings (14.266), parallel bars (14.833) and high bar (14.500).
