A costy fall saw Rhys McClenaghan finish outside the medals in the pommel horse final at the European Athletics Championship.
The 2018 champion led qualifying heading into the final in Basel today, but a fall off the pommel horse saw him finish in fifth place.
Armenia's Artur Davtyan won gold with a score of 14.266, while Russia’s Nikita Nagornyy and Britain’s Joe Fraser filled the silver and bronze positions respectively.
Newtownards man McClenaghan didn't hide his disappointment but is already looking forward to this summer's Olympics, when he will still be one of the favourites for gold.
He said: "Yes of course I'm disappointed just because I know I am so much more than what I presented here at the European Championships but it kind of just goes to show that Irish gymnasts aren’t just happy with just participating anymore.
"It’s all about the bigger picture, it’s all about the Olympic Games, it’s all about the World Championships. It’s no longer about just the European Championships.
"My standard is beyond that now because I know I can post a routine that is the best in the world and I’ll hopefully go down in history as the best pommel horse worker in the world. That’s not going to come by watering down my routines and performing an easier routine just so I can get a medal at this specific championships.
"I could’ve very easily went for a much easier routine but I chose not to because I am thinking of the bigger picture with my two coaches Luke and Matthew.
"Now it’s straight back to the gym. Today will just give me more hunger going back to training for the Tokyo Olympic Games. It’ll make me hungrier for that gold medal that I think I am completely capable of winning."
