STUTTGART (Germany), Sept 7: China outclassed their rivals easily to retain their men’s team title at the world gymnastics championships on Thursday.

Earning top scores on four of the six apparatus, next year’s Olympic hosts underlined their dominance with a total of 281.900, a convincing 4.875 points ahead of silver medallists Japan.

Hosts Germany gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, including Fabian Hambuechen’s breathtaking horizontal bar routine, to capture the bronze.

Last year’s silver medallists Russia were seventh in the eight-team final, further misery for the former powerhouse after their women’s team finished last in their final on Wednesday.—Reuters Farhan outplays Mansoor to reach final