Ireland’s newly named Olympian Kieran Behan ranked 4th in London 2012 Test Event Floor Apparatus final with a score of 14.900. He also received the second highest execution score of the evening, 9.000 just .033 behind Great Britain’ Max Whitlock. The floor final was won by both Daniel Purvis (15.466), Enrique Tomas Sepulveda Gonzelaz of Chile (15.466) and Kristian Thomas (15.333).
He looked pumped as he took to the podium, bringing his “famous bag of chalk” with him. He jumps on the podium with excitement before his name is announced to the packed O2 Arena and was raring to go. Tonight’s performance was exceptional and very clean by Behan, front double full to front half, Layout Thomas. Tucked Thomas. Press. Full twisting windmill. 1.5 to front tuck full to single stag. 2.5 to a great landing on the dismount to finish. A few small mistakes here and there, a few .1′s to receive a total of a mark deduction from his start value.  He was by far one of the most polished gymnasts that took to the floor. After his performance he was ranked third but had to settle for fourth when he was pushed out by Gonzalez who finished in joint first place. The performance was an improvement on the routine shown in qualifications on Tuesday.
This is gymnast who is capable of more, capable of upping his difficulty. We saw him doing double doubles in warm up  perhaps trying to psych the competition out? The safe route was the best route, it’s what has worked for Behan, it is what has helped him become Ireland’s second ever Olympic gymnast. A brief wave to the crowd, a skip over to collect his chalk bag and the crowd cheer for him when the commentators announce that he has secured a place to the Olympics (not announced for any other gymnast this evening!) and another cheer when mentioned that he trains at Tolworth Gymnastics Club. Kieran’s parents Phil and Bernie cheered from the stands, so proud of what their son has overcome and achieved to date.
Everyone in the arena is talking about Behan, he is the man of the moment. From the Press, to his fans, to the judges and other delegations, his story has truly touched many hearts in the O2 Arena this week. A star is born.
View Kieran’s routine here