Son Yeon-jae Falls Short of Podium Spot in Rio

Published on 2016/08/22 | Source

Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae waves after finishing her routine at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil on Saturday.

Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae finished fourth in the final of the individual all-around event at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil on Saturday.

Son performed her routine without any major mistakes, scoring a combined 72.898 points in all four disciplines -- ball, clubs, hoop and ribbon -- but it wasn't enough to secure a medal.

Her Russian rivals Margarita Mamun and Yana Kudryavtseva clinched gold and silver with 76.483 and 75.608 points respectively, followed by Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine, who took the bronze with 73.583 points.

Son congratulated the medalists with hugs and beaming smiles.

"I missed out on a medal, but I've given my utmost at all times and pushed myself to a new level", a tearful Son said in an interview after the competition, adding, "I want to thank those who have given me all their support and encouragement, which enabled me to get all the way here".

Asked about her plans, Son said she hadn't had a chance to think beyond the Olympics. "I prepared for this Olympics thinking it would be my last. I'll take a rest and start to think about what comes next".