With Simone Biles‘ leading the women’s team, the men have girded themselves up as well. The 2023 FIG World Cup circuit in Artistic Gymnastics had currently concluded its C III – Apparatus in Paris. The World Cup Challenge series had lighted its launch lamp on March 25.

Amid a wave of prolific gymnasts, Olympic champion Max Whitlock’s exceptional performance proved to be the best of the night. While the women’s team already collected praises, the men’s team is doing big at the World Cup.

Gymnastics maestro surpasses competition

Gymnastics serves both fun and suspense for the spectators, asserting its position atop the athletic list. Besides all the thrills it offers, the gymnasts pour their hearts out in every single routine. With the World Championship just around the corner, it’s going to propel the artists towards the Olympic Games next year.

Max Whitlock has proved his prowess at the Apparatus World Cup on Sunday, after his long-desired return at the Internationals. The Paris World Cup Challenge is just a snippet of the bigger game in Paris next year. However, the men’s team isn’t far behind with their gold-worthy routines with gymnasts like Whitlock. Competing alongside Rhys McClenaghan, Whitlock awaited this rivalrous moment since 2021. The Olympic gold medalist returned with a bang to clock a stunning 15.450. Following him was McClenaghan with 15.100.

Winning by a margin, Whitlock showed strength despite his persisting health struggles. On the other hand, McClenaghan also posed tough competition ahead of the World Championships in Antwerp. Earlier on Saturday, both the rivals clocked 15.250, until Whitlock outshined on his pommel horse.

The British-born set the difficulty mark at 6.900, tightening the situation for the rival to clinch win at 6.600. Proving himself as a level-pegging competitor, McClenaghan matched the winner’s routine almost, but sat back on the difficulty score. The Bercy Arena in Paris witnessed another decent gymnast, Adam Steele, grab fifth, with a score of 13.900. However, the winner Whitlock’s victorious comeback has a tough struggle behind it.

Mental health struggles ate Max Whitlock up

Since the Japan Games, the three-time Olympic champion complained about his mental health struggles. In an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Whitlock said, “I had never felt like that before”. For a champion of that weight, sanity counts the loudest. He added, ?A lot of athletes talk about the low after Olympic Games and I never could even comprehend it or even relate to it at all, but now I really can. I can really relate to that feeling of being completely lost, just struggling constantly.?

Along with consecutive wins come great responsibilities of living up to expectations. Once upon a time he performed to gain experience, but as he got seasoned, the lows caught him badly.

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He started to fear failure, feeling like he was gradually going downhill. The constant support of his parents and wife, Leah, allowed him to come back better. The same venue, Bercy Arena, will hold the Olympics gymnastics in 2024 summer.

Watch this story: ?With Apprehension for Paris Olympics in Air, Simone Biles Takes Her Next Steps After an Unreal Comeback