Bevan tries to focus on positives after medal near-miss

By James Toney

Brinn Bevan tried to accentuate the positives after agonisingly missing out on a team gymnastics medal at the Commonwealth Games.

Bevan, a world silver medallist with the British team in 2015, joined forces with Emil Barber, Josh Cook, Jacob Edwards and Joe Cemlyn-Jones in the men's team event at Arena Birmingham.

But despite sitting in bronze for much of the competition, Wales were finally edged into sixth place as England defended their title and Canada and surprise package Cyprus completed the podium.

Bevan, 24, will now reset his sights on the parallel bars final next week, after his 14.450 qualifying score secured him progress with the fourth best score.

England's Gianni Regini-Moran and Joe Fraser and Australia's Mitchell Morgans will now be the ones to beat.

"That was absolutely fantastic, that's my favourite piece of apparatus and the piece I thought I would be able to really challenge on," said Bevan, a former European Games bronze medallist.

"I'm quite confident now and I'm definitely looking to be in the mix for the final come Tuesday.

"There are a few things I can improve on and tidy up. I'm looking to touch a 15. I know that is big ask, but that is my goal and that will be in medal contention.

Bevan stepped away from the British team to focus on competing for Wales in Birmingham but admits he still thinks he can do a job for them at the World Championships in Liverpool later this year.

"I have been focusing on Team Wales for the Commonwealth Games and have stepped away from the British setup," he added.

"But it's not a write-off and hopefully I will get a few calls after these Games."

Elsewhere, Cemlyn-Jones made the floor final, while Barber will get to contest the medals in the vault, after qualifying in fifth place.

"We have a great Welsh team and have known each other for over six years," added Bevan.

"We've been on training camps for four weeks, going home at the weekend, and we've been eating well and hanging out together. We keep each other motivated."

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