DEBRECEN (Hungary), Nov 22: Alexi Nemov’s challenge for three gold medals at the 36th world championships got off to a disastrous start Thursday.

But while the Russian all-round Olympic winner faltered, the Chinese men topped the qualifiers in two of the six men’s apparatus disciplines.

Nemov, one of the most successful gymnasts in history with 11 Olympic medals to his name, came unstuck on both the horizontal and parallel bars.

The Sydney all-round champion lost his rhythm in the middle of a swing and landed awkwardly on the parallel bar during his first event.

Nemov acknowledged his disappointing score of 8.300, which immediately eliminated him from contention, with a bemused smile and helpless shrug.

The defending Olympics horizontal bars champion, who had a dreadful outing in Ghent twelve months ago when he failed to reach any of the finals, next performed a daring routine incorporating six release and catch moves.

His creativity was spoilt by a stumble on landing but a score of 9.462 left him facing an anxious wait before scraping through to the semi-finals in 15th place.

Though Nemov’s floor exercise lacked some of the flair and athleticism of the other participants, he punched the air in delight with clenched fists at having finally completed a routine with no obvious errors. He qualified for the semis in 10th position with 9.550.

Mentally exhausted by the ordeal and with sweat pouring off his face, Nemov limped out of the arena to a standing ovation.

China’s Li Xiaopeng and Xiao Qin topped the vault and pommel horse disciplines.

Olympic champion Li underlined his gold medal prospects with an average of 9.631 from his two vaults.—Reuters