European Gymnastics Championships: Britain’s Joe Fraser wins gold in high bar

European Gymnastics Championships: Britain’s Joe Fraser wins gold in high bar

Britain’s Joe Fraser won gold in the high bar and bronze in the parallel bars at the European Gymnastics Championships in Zagreb.

The 27-year-old scored 14.3 with one of the most difficult routines of the finals to claim his first high bar gold at a major championship.

“I’m very, very proud,” said Fraser, who has also won Commonwealth, European and world golds on the parallel bars.

“It’s not just me. It’s everyone behind the scenes – my coaches, my family. Everyone contributes to these moments. It’s very special.”

Team-mate Sol Scott won bronze in the vault.

Fraser, who achieved two top-five finishes at the 2024 Olympics, said: “Having a break after Paris has given me a lot of perspective.

“Opening my own gym and having a baby daughter on the way all adds to that and has definitely helped my gymnastics.

“I’m just really happy and excited to get out there with the team tomorrow for the big one in the team final.”

Cyprus’ Marios Georgiou took silver in the high bar with a score of 14.2, and Savelii Sieedin – born in Russia but competing as a neutral athlete – won bronze with 14.066.

In the parallel bars Fraser scored 14.3. Croatia’s Illia Kovtun took gold with 14.7 and Turkey’s Ferhat Arican silver with 14.433.

Competing at his first major championship, 19-year-old Sol scored 14.199 to finish third in the vault.

“I’m just so happy. I can’t believe it, I really didn’t expect this,” he said.

“Moving up to senior European is a big step, but the team and support team have really helped me and it’s been an incredible experience.”

Ukraine’s Nazar Chepurnyi won gold with 14.566, while neutral athlete Aleksei Usachev claimed silver with 14.399.

The team final is live on BBC Two on Sunday from 12.45-17.00 BST.

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