'I just have to be better': Rhys McClenaghan ready to put in the work to meet challenge of rising standards
Northern Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan has declared “I just have to be better” after finishing in seventh spot during Friday’s European Championships pommel horse final – but is motivated by the challenge of rising standards across the board.
A three-time European champion, McClenaghan scored 14.166 for his routine in Zagreb – 0.967 behind gold medallist Gabriele Targhetta of Italy.
McClenaghan is continuing to work his way back to full fitness following a shoulder injury which ruled him out of last year’s competition.
He returned to competitive action at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow earlier this summer and insists motivation is high as he looks to take on the world’s best for top honours.
"I just have to be better,” said McClenaghan on BBC. “Sometimes you have to boil it down to something simple like that and you shouldn’t be discouraged by that but motivated, and I’m certainly standing here motivated.
"The medal ceremony is going on right now and I would love to be on top of that podium, but we need to be better.
"It does still feel I’m finding my flow and the rhythm of this pommel routine. I know when it’s there, it’s there.
"I know it takes time. An entire year of injury, you’re going to have some resets here and there.
"I’m happy to be back, I know there’s more work to be done, and bring it on.”
Newtownards native McClenaghan has already amassed an impressive medal collection throughout his glittering career.
He’s the reigning Olympic champion after celebrating golden glory at Paris 2024 and has also won two World Championships titles.
The 27-year-old will face stern competition from the likes of Targhetta and Armenian duo Hamlet Manukyan and Mamikon Khachatryan, who finished second and third respectively on Friday, when the Worlds is staged in Rotterdam in October.
McClenaghan is relishing the task of chasing down his rivals and is ready to put in the hard yards in the gym.
"It’s such a great thing that the standard is high,” he added. “The routine that I performed there, even three years ago, might have landed me on top spot of a European podium, it doesn’t anymore.
"I’ve constructed my routine in a way where it’s upgradable. At the level we’re at, it’s only 0.1 here and there but it makes the difference.
"The standard is so high and it only takes three really good gymnasts to raise that standard...there’s three on the podium right now.
"I look forward to chasing them, going home and analysing their gymnastics, putting it into my own gymnastics and taking on the challenge.
"The World Championships is next. We go back to the gym, I’m already thinking about what I need to improve on.
"I know those guys will be challenging for the top spot and I also want to be challenging.”
Belfast’s Eamon Montgomery was also in final action on Friday after qualifying for the floor decider – he finished seventh as Artem Dolgopyat won gold and Great Britain’s Harry Hepworth took home bronze.