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McClenaghan 2.0 a ‘work in progress’ heading to Glasgow
Olympic gold medallist Rhys McClenaghan is preparing for a demanding summer, with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the European Championships both approaching. The Northern Irishman missed most of 2025 after shoulder surgery kept him away from the pommel horse, and he now returns fully fit with an entirely new routine he has nicknamed "Rhys 2.0", which he hopes to refine before the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. His return matters both for his own career trajectory and for Team Northern Ireland, who see him as a figurehead for their medal ambitions in Glasgow.
McClenaghan, 26, won Commonwealth gold as an 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in 2018, beating reigning Olympic champion Max Whitlock, before taking silver in Birmingham in 2022; he says a gold in Glasgow would "sandwich" that silver nicely. He also completed a career Grand Slam of Olympic, World and European titles at the Paris 2024 Games. He is one of four Team NI gymnasts heading to Glasgow and says the wider squad now shows a new confidence, with athletes openly stating they intend to win medals rather than simply take part.
In short
- McClenaghan returns from shoulder surgery with a new "2.0" pommel horse routine.
- Aiming for Commonwealth gold in Glasgow after 2018 gold and 2022 silver.
- Sees growing medal ambition across the wider Team NI squad.
Explained simply
Rhys McClenaghan is a 26-year-old Northern Irish gymnast who specialises in pommel horse. He won Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Games and has also won World and European titles, completing a Grand Slam of major championship medals in his sport.
McClenaghan spent most of 2025 recovering from shoulder surgery. He has now resumed training, with his return to competition being closely watched both for his own career and for Team Northern Ireland's prospects at upcoming major events.
He has previously competed at two Commonwealth Games, winning gold on the Gold Coast in 2018 and silver in Birmingham in 2022. With his track record of major championship success, he represents a significant medal hope for Northern Ireland at international competitions.