Nile Wilson hopes the decision to withdraw from the all-around final at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Nanning through injury will help boost his chances in the high bar competition.
Wilson, who is making his World Championship debut in China, qualified for Thursday’s all-around final in tenth spot – one place below teammate Dan Purvis – as well as Sunday’s high bar final.
On Tuesday he helped Great Britain’s men to a highest-ever team final finish of fourth spot despite competing with a sore wrist.
And the 18-year-old, who only made the step up to senior level this year before taking high bar gold at this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has now opted to rest the problem to give him the best possible preparation for the weekend.
Double Olympic bronze medallist Max Whitlock will instead take his place in the all-around final having qualified by right as the third-placed British gymnast before being initially excluded from the final by the two gymnasts per federation rule.
And Wilson said: “I’m obviously very disappointed, as I’m feeling great otherwise and have been really enjoying my first World Championships but my wrist was pretty sore so I made the decision to pull out and save myself for the high bar final.
“The medical staff and coaches are unanimous that this is the right decision to make. I’ll be right behind Max and Dan Purvis in the all around and can’t wait for the high bar on Sunday.”
© Sportsbeat 2014