Luke Whitehouse floors it to take gold before targeting second medal in Glasgow
LUKE WHITEHOUSE looked more relieved than delighted after claiming Commonwealth Games gold.
The 24-year-old from Halifax arrived in Glasgow hoping to win multiple medals, but so far it has not gone according to plan.
He was part of the England squad that failed to win team gold for the first time since 2010, settling for silver, and produced a stuttering display in the all-around competition, where he finished well outside podium contention in seventh.
But Whitehouse is a three-time European champion on floor and won world silver in Jakarta last year.
His difficulty score was a full point clear of his nearest rival and, while elements of his execution need tidying, he was a worthy winner.
However, Whitehouse was just happy to get back to winning ways as he comfortably held off the challenge of Canada's Rene Cournover and Australia's James Hardy, who completed the podium.
"The last few days have been about regrouping after everything that's happened and then coming out and delivering a good performance," he said.
"I think it's just about taking it step by step. Like I said, you've just got to ignore the noise and everything that's going on around you, and focus on your own individual performances.
"Last night in the all-around final, I had a fall on floor, so I'll be honest, it was playing on my mind a little bit. I came into the arena earlier, I felt good in practice and that settled my nerves.
"I think these performances show that I can compete under pressure. I've put together three solid routines and there's still a little bit more to do, but I'm getting there.
"My confidence has grown over time by producing results. I came in knowing that I am one of the best floor workers in the world, and I deserve to be here."
Whitehouse was more disappointed with his performance in the rings final, where he narrowly missed out on a medal in fifth.
But he can still add to his medal tally in Tuesday's vault final, where he qualified with the second-best score, just a fraction behind Canada's Felix Dolci, who took gold in the rings final.
"I've got another chance to get back on the podium, but this was the big medal target," he added. "My vault wasn't great in the all-around, but I know the things I need to do to put that right."