when OBriens sister Sarah merely had to point 11/8 favourite Oathkeeper | Forum

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Speaking to reporters after the all-around final in mens gymnastics Wednesday night, Sam Mikulak and Chris Brooks expressed pride in their seventh- and 14th-place performances, and satisfaction with a level of competitiveness in which the two Americans avoided major errors in all six of their routines. Adidas Alex Ovechkin Jersey .The juxtaposition was still stark. For at the same time they made their remarks, medals were being awarded following one of the hardest fought and definitely the highest level the sport has ever seen as reigning gold medalist and six-time world champion Kohei Uchimura of Japan edged out Ukraines Oleg Verniaiev for gold, while Great Britains Max Whitlock picked up the bronze.Separated by fractions of a point all night, the drama reached its climax on the high bar, the final rotation for both Uchimura and Verniaiev. Performing last and needing a 14.899 for gold, Verniaiev appeared to have nailed it as the hushed crowd erupted, only to gasp minutes later when he received a 14.8, a full point below Uchimuras high bar score.The final point total: Uchimura 92.365, Verniaiev 92.266.The 27-year-old who led Japan to team gold two days earlier, became the first man to achieve back-to-back titles in the Olympic all-around since his countryman Sawao Kato achieved the feat in 1968 and 1972.After winning the group gold, it was tough to refocus, Uchimura said. Im so exhausted right now.The charismatic Mikulak, on the other hand, said he jumped from 16th-place after the third rotation to a final seventh based on the pick-me-up he got from slamming his third can of his herbal energy drink, a business he and two friends started while he was at Michigan.I honestly believe that was the turning point for me, said the 23-year-old, who added that he wants to compete in at least one more Olympics.Like Brooks, who at 29 was an alternate on the 2012 Olympic team, Mikulak, 23, beat the odds to compete both in London (after a sprained ankle kept him out of five of six events at Olympic trials) and in Rio (after completing rehab in March from surgery to repair ankle and Achilles injuries).Criticized for his inconsistency at times and again during team finals, when he went out of bounds on his first two passes on floor -- the Americans first rotation -- Mikulaks mission was clear.I hit six-of-six [Wednesday], I think that was the biggest goal of mine coming out here, he said. For a while, the P&G [Championships] and trials [both in June], I didnt hit six-for-six, but I came to the grandest of stages and I did it here. So I think I proved to myself and a lot of others that Im still capable of hitting all my routines.For Brooks, this will be his first and last Olympics, his battered body delivering one of the better nights of his career Wednesday.I have a whole new respect for those who have competed in all-around finals before me, he said. That was intense, it was extreme. My body was sore, I was tired after doing prelims [Saturday] and team finals [Monday]. It was an emotional roller coaster through all that. And then to have to get up and do six events [Wednesday], it was mentally and physically a struggle, but Im glad my training, my preparation, everything Ive been doing outside the gym, paid off.To see my name even near the top of the scoreboard was an amazing honor.While it is a sport, to be sure, in which competitors are often separated by no more than tenths of a point and one or two mistakes, Mikulaks 89.631 was 1.01 off the bronze medalists point total and leaves the men to re-examine their program.Certainly finishing fifth [as a team] puts everything into question and you have to take a serious look at it and it falls on my shoulders as team coordinator, Kevin Mazeika said. I have to take a really hard look at it and see what we need to do to get over the hump and get back on the medal stand.Were definitely not satisfied with finishing fifth. [But] it was a different fifth [than 2012] in terms of the way these guys did everything and anything we asked of them inside the gym, outside the gym, with preparation, nutrition, diet, the mental part of it. Theyre all working very, very hard and we saw some amazing gymnastics. There were incredible bright spots.Mikulak, for all intents and purposes the face of U.S. mens gymnastics as the four-time national champion, said he wants to work with young gymnasts to maximize their potential and not make the same mistakes I have. But he also prefers to look at the positive.It wasnt quite as nerve-wracking as I thought, he said of Wednesday night. This is the type of situation where youve got to remember it for the rest of your life. And when I came out on the floor, I was like Wow, either this moment is going to be super nerve-racking or its going to be very enjoyable. You just have to trust your training, breathe and youre like, Wow, this is exactly the same thing I do at home.It was just very nice to have that takeaway and mentally its going to help propel me from here on out. ... I just look to the future and hope I can keep smiling and enjoy myself. Cheap Adidas Capitals Jerseys . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Wholesale Capitals Jerseys .com) - Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were easy first-round winners Tuesday at the Australian Open. http:///...eny-kuznetsov-jersey . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string.As a start to a new career goes it is difficult to imagine anyone matching former champion Flat jockey Joseph OBriens four-timer from seven runners on his first day as a fully-fledged trainer. Justice Frederick got the ball rolling by winning the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Gowran Park, which was swiftly followed up when Mai Fitzs Jack strolled home in the John B. Keane (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Listowel.The third success came back on the level with OBriens brother, Donnacha, who also rode Justice Frederick, coming from nearly last on Zig Zag in the Gowran Park Golf Club Handicap. OBriens sister, Sarah, meanwhile, merely had to point Oathkeeper in the right direction to take the concluding bumper at Listowel, the pair bolting up in the colours of JP McManus.Multiple Classic winner OBrien has been overseeing a team of horses at his familys Piltown yard, but until he completed all his training modules they were competing under the name of his father, Aidan.To prove how seriously he is taking his new venture the fledgling trainer was sourcing new horses at the sales rather than watching any of his current ones run in person.Justice Frederick had been an odds-on favourite in the morning with a newcomer from OBrien seniors Ballydoyle base, Leo Minor, easily backable.However, right on the off there was a huge shift in momentum which saw Leo Minor go off favourite at 6/5 and Justice Frederick sent off at 6/4.Leo Minor came with a challenge but looked green on his debut and was beaten a length and a half, with the success coming 23 years after Aidan OBrien saddled his first winner, Wandering Thoughts, at Tralee.Donnacha OBrien said: He learned from the first day, and the step up to seven furlongs suited him.Annemarie OBrien, Josephs mother, added: The plan is to go for the Chesham at Royal Ascot.Mai Fitzs Jack won as an odds-on shot should. Made the 4/9 favourite on the strength of a second-place finish last time out, the result hardly looked in any doubt.Brian OConnell never had to exert himself and just had to keep his wits about him as his mount got in slightly too close to the final flight.Aidan OBrien was at Listowel, where he said: Straight away I got put in my place!It was great in Gowran and our own horse (runner-up Leo Minor) maybe got a little tired. I underestimated the strength of Josephs horse, obviously.His (Josephs winner Justice Frederick) first run was over five (furlongs) and is a horse that will get seven and further.This horse (Mai Fitzs Jack) was unlucky the last day when he made a mistake at the last two and I think the winner was a decent horse. Adidas Nicklas Backstrom Jersey. .Im not sure, but Id imagine hell (Joseph) keep him busy over the summer.He went on: Its a massive day for us and its great to get a win both over jumps and on the Flat.I couldnt believe when someone said to me that it was 23 years ago to the meeting (then at Tralee) that I had my first winner with Wandering Thoughts - I couldnt believe that, it is some coincidence.Joseph loves it (training) - he loved riding but it was tough for him for a long time (with weight); doing 9st every morning was very hard.Hes a big man now, hes well over 11st and he doesnt look heavy.No one will get more pleasure than me, but Ill have to keep my eye on the ball now!Zig Zag (7/1) weaved through nearly the whole field for his success, with Annemarie OBrien saying: Its been a great day for Joseph, and its nice to get a bracket for this horse. Hell go for something similar again.Oathkeeper could not have done it any easier as the 11/8 favourite, coming home with nine lengths in hand of Bel Sas.Aidan OBrien said: Its very exciting and great also for JP. It (Josephs career) is something to look forward to and he looks a fair horse.I think he might be going jumping now, but Joseph will discuss that with Frank (Berry, McManus racing manager).It has been an incredible day - how can you improve on that?OBrien swiftly registered his first double when Mai Fitzs Jack strolled home in the John B. Keane (C & G) Maiden Hurdle at Listowel.Sent off the 4/9 favourite on the strength of a second-place finish last time out, the result hardly looked in any doubt.Brian OConnell never had to exert himself and just had to keep his wits about him as his mount got in slightly too close to the final flight.OBrien says his team will be split roughly 50/50 between Flat horses and jumpers. OBriens day got even better later on when Donnacha OBrien gave 7/1 chance Zig Zag a tremendous ride as they got up to take the Gowran Park Golf Club Handicap, beating Phebes Dream by a neck.And it was four when OBriens sister Sarah merely had to point 11/8 favourite Oathkeeper in the right direction for a most impressive victory in the bumper back at Listowel, absolutely bolting up in the JP McManus colours. Also See: Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports ￡3 free bet every time your team wins! Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys' ' '