Leyva Wins Two Silver Medals in Men’s Gymnastics at the 2016 Rio Games

2016 Rio Games

Danell Leyva has redeemed himself in a big way…

The 24-year-old Cuban American gymnast earned two silver medals in the final day of gymnastics competition on Tuesday at the 2016 Rio Games.

Danell Leyva

Leyva, who was a late replacement to the US Men’s Gymnastics team when an injured John Orozco had to bow out, claimed silver on both parallel bars and high bar, completing a three-month journey from injury to alternate to medalist.

“Nobody has a perfect day, but I feel like this was this as close to perfect as I possibly could have gotten,” Leyva said, “and I’m incredibly happy.”

Oleg Verniaiev won gold in the men’s parallel bars event Tuesday with a score of 16.041, edging  Leyva , and David Belyavskiy of Russia, who won bronze.

Danell Leyva

Leyva won a second silver medal on the horizontal bar, finishing behind Fabian Hambuechen of Germany, who won gold, and ahead of Nile Wilson of Britain, who won bronze.

Leyva began his afternoon’s work with the parallel bars and completed it with the horizontal bar, from which he had fallen during last week’s men’s team final.

“This was absolutely a redemption, not only for me but for the team as well. My success is as much for the team as it is for me,” he said.

It was a bit of a shock when Leyva wasn’t selected to compete at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Leyva, who took home a bronze medal four years ago at the 2012 London Games, was chosen to serve as a team alternate. Leyva was the only U.S. male gymnast to bring home a medal in 2012.

 

Well, he got his redemption on Tuesday in Rio, earning his pair of silver medals.