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LOCK FINDS BRONZE KEY

Rio Olympics 2016: Max Whitlock bags Team GB’s first medal in the men’s individual all-round gymnastics for 108 years

Brit makes history after thrilling climax as Japan legend Kohei Uchimuru nicks gold

Max Whitlock won bronze in the men's all-round competition

MAX WHITLOCK ended Britain's 108-year wait for an Olympic medal in the individual men's all-round gymnastics.

The almost-nerveless Hertfordshire hero took bronze after a thrilling climax.

 Max Whitlock won bronze in the men's all-round competition
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Max Whitlock won bronze in the men's all-round competitionCredit: Getty Images
 Whitlock performs on the rings during his impressive evening in the artistic gymnastics
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Whitlock performs on the rings during his impressive evening in the artistic gymnasticsCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Brit star Whitlock keeps his focus on the Parallel Bars as his medal assault hotted up
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Brit star Whitlock keeps his focus on the Parallel Bars as his medal assault hotted upCredit: EPA

And he even had his eyes on silver until Japanese legend and reigning champion Kohei Uchimuru performed brilliantly on the high bars in the final event to steal gold from long-time leader Oleg Verniaiev.

There was a superb eighth place for Britain's Nile Wilson.

And it all meant Uchimuru remained unbeaten, while Verniaiev smiled ruefully at the end after bagging Ukraine's first ever individual gym medal.

Only his hop in the very last action of three incredible hours of gymnastics denied him the top prize.

Uchimuru finished on 92.365, Verniaiev 92.266 and Whitlock 90.266.

Russian David Belyavskiy was bang in contention all the way but his closing 15.133 on the high bars guaranteed Whitlock a medal.

Wilson totalled a respectable 89.565.

 Japan legend Kohei Uchimura shows his grace and power on the rings
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Japan legend Kohei Uchimura shows his grace and power on the ringsCredit: Reuters
 Switzerland star Pablo Braegger vaulted his way into medal contention in Rio
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Switzerland star Pablo Braegger vaulted his way into medal contention in RioCredit: EPA
 French gymnast Axel Augis shows his vaulting form during a tight gym competition
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French gymnast Axel Augis shows his vaulting form during a tight gym competitionCredit: Getty Images
 Nile Wilson was content with his performance on the vault but was never in the medal running
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Nile Wilson was content with his performance on the vault but was never in the medal runningCredit: AP:Associated Press
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