In the early stages inside the North Greenwich Arena, mistakes from leading contenders like American John Orozco – a low 12.566 score on pommel horse – and Germany’s Fabian Hambuchen – 13.266 on the same apparatus – suggested that the Brits might have a chance.
But the smallest error was always likely to end British interest in a final packed with talent, and so Thomas and Purvis joined Orozco, Hambuchen and others in the list of casualties.
Uchimura, who struggled before qualifying for this final in ninth place, wasted no time in restoring his reputation as the sport’s leading male protagonist by some distance.
The winner of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 World all-around titles briefly sparred with team-mate Kazuhito Tanaka, who had been called into the final as a reserve for injured Japanese colleague Koji Yamamuro.
But a flawed Tanaka floor routine let in Uchimura, 23, for an Olympic gold medal that leaves his record in the men’s sport unrivalled. Tanaka eventually placed sixth.
“Uchimura stepped up to the plate, he’s a true champion. He fully deserves that,” said Thomas.
Uchimura, who was not faultless himself, scored 92.690 for gold, ahead of Nguyen, who overtook Danell Leyva at the death for silver with a score of 91.031. Leyva of the United States took bronze on 90.698, while Thomas scored 89.406 and Purvis 88.332.
To put the pair’s achievements at London 2012 into perspective, since Tysall in 1908, two 20th-place finishes are the best any British man has managed in this event.
Thomas still has the Olympic vault final to come and a chance to take one more swipe at an unlikely but, importantly, achievable medal.
