The 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are underway, and the top-tier gymnasts set the bar high on the first day. As the gymnastic mat of Antwerp unfastened, 24 nations participated to clinch their individual marks. The US team roster convinced the fanatics, but there were countries bringing their A-games as well. With gymnasts performing with great panache one after the other, Spain hissed to announce their magnificence. The 2015 World Artistic Gymnastic Championship bronze medalist set the floor ablaze.

Ray Zapata, the reigning Olympic silver medalist, graced the floor with his flips and flaunts. Screaming competition on the first day of the event, the 30-year-old artistic gymnast is up for something big.

Exciting gymnastics floor display

Gymnastics Now, the forever friend of the elite gymnasts, never fails to give deserving shout-outs. Along similar lines, when Ray hit the floor like sunrays, the iconic sports ‘X’ page posted a thrilling video. Here’s Spain’s most celebrated silver medalist, Ray Zapata.

Gymnastics Now captioned the post as, “Reigning Olympic silver medalist Ray Zapata (ESP) went 14.466 on floor with this set! Currently 7th.”

The video captures the 2015 European Games floor gold medalist in a white and red sports gear, taking stances. Furthermore, after two flips on the floor, two in the air, his ecstatic smile asserted satisfaction.

Floor being his forte, this is not the first time Zapata posed a strong threat to the USA’s gymnastic team.

The most sought-after Olympic silver medalist

After completing a magnificent exercise and leaving the other nations behind, Ray Zapata fulfilled his Olympic dreams in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, the UCAM gymnast clocked the same score as the Israeli winner Artem Dolgoypat.

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But the D-score of the latter’s routine broke the tie. The Spaniard carefully considered his alternatives and managed his anxiety to the point where he only had one minor, obvious failure during one of the landings. He had to wait for his competitors to perform their acts because he was the second to compete.

Competing alongside gymnastic greats like the 2021 NCAA and US all-round champion Brody Malone, it was a tough call for Ray. Despite several setbacks, the reigning athlete made his mark. In fact, at the 2023 World Championships, he’s all set to etch his name in history. The men’s final event is scheduled on October 3, as fans count on their season favorites on the mat.

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