Belgium takes two medals at European gymnastics championship

Maxime Gentges won a silver medal on the pommel horse at the European Gymnastics Championships in Antalya, Turkey, on Saturday. A few minutes later, Lisa Vaelen took third place in the vault finals.

The Irish pommel horse world champion Rhys McClenaghan took the win with 14.666 points. With 14.566 points, Gentges secured Belgium's first-ever European Championships medal in the men's event.

Vaelen closed with a score of 13.583 points, bringing her the bronze medal, while victory went to Coline Devillard of France with 13.800 points. This was Vaelen's first medal at a major championship. Later on Saturday, she finished seventh in the uneven bars.

On Friday, 18-year-old Vaelen narrowly missed out on the podium with fourth place in the all-around competition, with compatriot Maellyse Brassart finishing fifth. The Belgians are performing well at this European Championships, despite the absence of the injured Olympic champion Nina Derwael.

On Sunday, Fien Enghels will try to secure a third medal on the beam.

^{Belgian gymnast Maxime Gentges during the pommel horse exercise © BELGA PHOTO LAURIE DIEFFEMBACQ}