As the first day of the men’s qualification concluded, the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship is enjoying a pleasant hangover. The Antwerp audience witnessed some stellar performances on rotation 1 subdivision 3, asserting an even more thrilling final. The US team roster looked convincing on the mat with phenomenal displays. Moreover, their well-deserved second-place standing confirmed their most-awaited 2024 Olympic exhibits. However, Japan topped the list with a total of 258.228, while the USA trailed with 254.628. But there’s one national team that’s entering the Olympic mat after almost a decade-long break.

Canada has set its sights on another podium finish since the women’s team secured their berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With the men’s roster announcement earlier this year, they’ve achieved what they had waited for. After a 15-year-long hiatus since appearing at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Canada’s 2024 dreams are afoot.

Canada announces men’s gymnastics comeback

In one of the FIG international competitions, Canadian men secured their Olympic berths. As the 2023 World Championships acted as the prelude to the big game next year, Canada held onto their A-game. FIG took to their ‘X’ handle to post final standings, giving a well-deserved shout-out to Canada for the fourth position clinch and Switzerland for the sixth. They captioned the post, “Team standings after Men’s Subdivision 5 at #ARTWorlds2023: The team finals (and Olympic qualification) picture continues to come into focus. The morning news is very good for Canada and Switzerland!”

Crediting Canada’s gymnastic flair, FIG posted another update as an add-on. The fact that the North American country has already set the bar high, the other teams should be cautioned. FIG wrote, “Canada, which has not sent a men’s team to the #Olympics since 2008, has more than done its job today. With 249.260, they sit in fourth place in qualification. Team finals, here they come! Smiling Switzerland, currently sixth, is posing with an Olympic flag on the podium.”

Watch this story: ?65 Days After Comeback Simone Biles Rewrites History at World Artistic Gymnastics Championship Camp

Not only did Canada, but Switzerland’s overall score of 248.392 also looked quite impressive. As the netizens await a nip and tuck competition on the second qualification day today, the USA men prepare for the big event.

The USA team graced the vault

The USA team topped the vault by the end of subdivision 1, cruising past the other deserving contenders. Despite facing setbacks on the floor routine, the combined performance of the teammates was commendable. While Yul Moldauer graced the uneven bars after a not-so-smooth pommel horse landing, his scores shocked him.

Paul Juda’s YDP landing and Asher Hong‘s Ri Se Gwang display awe-inspired the spectators. Clocking a total of 44.099 in the vault, the USA men’s roster stood affixed on their Olympic goals. They earned a total of 254.628.

READ MORE: Simone Biles? Brazilian Boyfriend in 2016, Showcases a Stellar Run at World Artistic Gymnastics Championship 2023

On October 2, the next set of gymnastic greats are all set to grace the mat. Alongside the men’s qualifying event, the women already hear applauds. The 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship will continue till October 8.