Olympic pommel horse champion Rhys McClenaghan has confirmed he’ll miss the World Inventive Gymnastics Championships after present process shoulder surgical procedure.
Two-time world champion McClenaghan, who has not competed since successful Olympic gold for Eire in Paris final summer time, mentioned he had been “combating this damage for some time now”.
This 12 months’s Worlds happen in Jakarta from 19-25 October.
The Commonwealth Video games in Glasgow and the World Championships are two occasions for McClenaghan to focus on in 2026.
“I am disillusioned to overlook this 12 months’s World Championships, however my precedence is to keep up my place as the very best on this planet on pommel horse,” mentioned the 26-year-old.
“My aim shouldn’t be solely to retain my Olympic title in LA 2028 however to proceed striving for gold in each main competitors. This surgical procedure was essential to make sure I can carry out on the highest stage for years to return.
“Setbacks are a part of elite sport, however my mindset is about turning challenges – as I’ve carried out earlier than – into alternatives to boost my efficiency.”
McClenaghan was considered one of 4 athletes from Northern Eire to win a gold medal in Paris in a historic video games after rower Hannah Scott and swimmers Daniel Wiffen and Jack McMillan all had success on the Video games.
By successful gold in France, McClenaghan accomplished gymnastics’ Grand Slam by changing into Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth champion.
After his Olympic triumph, he competed on and gained Dancing With the Stars, which is the Irish model of Strictly Come Dancing.
He had been on account of compete within the European Championships in Might however withdrew via damage. McClenaghan beforehand had shoulder surgical procedure in 2018.
