AFP, New York :
Japan’s Ryohei Kato and reigning Olympic women’s all-around champion Gabrielle Douglas of the United States won titles Saturday at the American Cup invitational gymnastics meet in Newark, New Jersey.
Kato, who helped Japan to last year’s world team title in Glasgow and 2012 Olympic silver in London, took the men’s all-around crown with 88.931 points to edge American Donnell Whittenburg by .366 of a point with China’s Sun Wei third on 87.665.
Kato had the top apparatus score only on the horizontal bar at 15.233 points but was second in pommel horse, still rings and floor exercise on his way to the all-around victory in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic tuneup.
“It was important to ride the momentum from worlds last year and put up a good showing,” Kato said. “In my mind, the best competition is when everyone actually hits and then to see who comes out on top at the end. I didn’t think I could come out on top.”
On the women’s side, Douglas led the way on 60.165 points with fellow American Maggie Nichols second on 59.699 and Canada’s Elsabeth Black third on 57.132, 1.2 points ahead of Britain’s Amy Tinkler in fourth.
Douglas won the vault, uneven bars and balance beam and placed second in the floor exercise.
“When the lights go on, I’m all in,” said Douglas. “There’s something that flips, clicks, and I’m so thankful to have that-click it on, click it off.
“I know in the bottom of my heart that I can do more and it’s all about the right intentions. I think I’m in a very good spot right now, heading forward.”
