Olympic crush: Brazilian gymnast Arthur Mariano
Arthur Nory Oyakawa Mariano of Brazil competes in the Rings event on his way to winning silver in the Mens All-Around Artistic World Cup competition at the Emirates Arena on March 12, 2016 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil is seen during the men’s qualifications on the horizontal bar. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil reacts. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil reacts. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil competes on the vault. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil celebrates during the men’s qualifications. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil competes on the pommel horse, REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil competes on the pommel horse, REUTERS/Damir Sagolj
Arthur Mariano (BRA) of Brazil competes on the horizontal bar, REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach
Arthur Mariano of Brazil competes on the parallel bars during the Men’s Individual All-Around final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (
Arthur Mariano of Brazil competes on the rings during the Men’s Individual All-Around final on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano of Brazil celebrates after competing on the parallel bars during the men’s team final on Day 3 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 8, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano of Brazil reacts after competing in the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Team qualification on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano of Brazil reacts after competing in the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Team qualification on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano of Brazil reacts after competing on the parallel bars in the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Team qualification on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Arthur Mariano of Brazil competes on the pommel horse in the Artistic Gymnastics Men’s Team qualification on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Rio Olympic Arena on August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO ? Wednesday was a good day for Simone Biles' "Brazilian boyfriend." Thursday might be another one.
Arthur Nory Mariano, the local hero from Sao Paolo who has begun to make a name in the United States through his close friendship with the American superstar, did a star turn of his own here in the men's gymnastics all-around final, finishing 17th and wowing the adoring crowd at Rio Olympic Arena.
On Thursday, he wants to be back in the same arena to see the woman he has called his "crush."
The two met in 2013, he told Yahoo Sports after his finish on Wednesday. "Our first World Championships," he said. "I met her. I said, 'Simone, you're my crush.' "
