Rhys McClenaghan in line for European Championships final spot after qualifying show

McClenaghan stood atop of the podium in 2018, 2023 and 2024 before missing the 2025 event due to injury, but is hoping to reclaim his crown in Zagreb.

The 27-year-old, who is the reigning Olympic pommel horse champion after his golden glory at Paris 2024, produced a routine with a difficulty of 5.6 and received an execution score of 8.8 – he sits fourth at this stage with 2025 European silver medallist Mamikon Khachatryan top of the pile.

Only those who finish inside the top-eight will progress to the final.

There’s still one subdivision left to compete on Wednesday evening but McClenaghan's place should be secured as he looks to further add to his impressive medal haul – 14.033 was enough to make the final 12 months ago and 14.266 sealed a spot in 2024.

McClenaghan returned to competitive action at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and is looking to build towards his best.

“It's really nice to be back at the European Championships,” said McClenaghan in a post-training interview with the official European Gymnastics social media platforms before competition got underway in Zagreb. "I'm nice and comfortable out here today and may that continue throughout the rest of the week.

"We're feeling really healthy and happy and it's just such a nice place to be.

"I feel like when you go through a whole year of being injured, you're so much more grateful for days like today where you walk out and your mind isn't on your injury or your aches or pains, you can really just enjoy it for what it is.

"I labelled Commonwealth Games as a stepping stone...I'm treating this as the same.

"It doesn't mean that I'm giving any less respect...I'm still going for my best performance but I have to realise that this is my current best and then I'm wanting to build on that even more.

"I know that that takes time...it's a bit of a process so I look forward to continuing that progress.”