US cruises to lead in men's gymnastics qualifying

LONDON — The Americans just might be able to back up their big talk.

While perennial gymnastics powerhouses China and Japan bobbled and wobbled their way through men's qualifying Saturday, the Americans proved they really do have the goods to contend for the gold medal. They didn't count a single fall, and their final score of 275.342 is almost three points ahead of surprising Britain.

The O2 Arena — where American flags, T-shirts and signs seemed to be everywhere — erupted in applause when the final scores were posted. The U.S. men looked up from their huddle and noted the marks with a few fist pumps.

Japan, the heavy favorite coming into the meet, is third (270.503) after several uncharacteristic errors by three-time world champion Kohei Uchimura. Defending Olympic champion China, which also has won the last five world titles, is fourth (269.985) after its splat-filled day. Germany and Russia compete later Saturday.

Team finals are Monday, and the scoring format changes to the three-up, three-count, where three gymnasts compete on each event and all three scores count. But the Americans believe they're actually better built for that high-risk, high-reward formula, and this performance will only fuel their confidence.

The United States hasn't been atop the podium since Bart Conner and the Golden Gang in 1984. It hasn't even been in the same league as China and Japan, really. But after a surprise bronze medal in Beijing and another bronze at last year's world championships, this group has insisted it has the goods to get it done.

They sure looked it Saturday, performing with the kind of swagger usually reserved for the Chinese. Danell Leyva and John Orozco posted the highest individual scores, and the team had the highest total on floor exercise and high bar. They had only three falls the entire day, and counted only four scores below 15.

After captain Jon Horton finished an electrifying high bar routine, he stood on the edge of the podium and popped his uniform so the entire arena could see the "U-S-A" on the front.

The day didn't look so promising at the start, when Horton went spinning off pommel horse, his — and the team's — worst event. But teams can drop their lowest score in qualifying, and the rest of the Americans were quick to erase Horton's. Leyva and Orozco would be welcome on China's or Japan's team after their stylish sets, making their way around the horse with smooth, controlled swings and circles.

Horton redeemed himself with a still rings routine that left spectators crying "Uncle!" He looked as if he was on a spit as he rotated from one skill right into another, and his back was so straight on one plank you could have used it as an ironing board — provided there was 15-foot ladder handy to reach him.

After slowly closing the gap on each event, the Americans finally took the lead with their dazzling sets on high bar.

Orozco set the tone, getting such great air on his release moves he could almost make eye contact with the folks hanging out on the first concourse. Horton was up next. He's been struggling on high bar the last few months, but there was no cover-your-eyes-and-hide-the-children scariness this time. Once, twice, three times he tossed himself up and over the bar, flipping and twisting before coming down and easily grabbing it.

When his feet hit the mat with a solid thud, he pumped his fists and smiled.

Leyva closed the show, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd with his big release moves. When he did a little hop while in a handstand, the audience actually laughed. He let out a roar when he landed his dismount, and his energetic stepfather and coach, Yin Alvarez, let loose with a round of his trademark rhythmic clapping.