LONDON (AFP) - Japan's Koko Tsurumi admitted she confounded her own expectations by grabbing bronze in the women's all-around final at the World Gymnastics Championships.
Just 24 hours after seeing compatriot Kohei Uchimura win gold in the men's competition, 17-year-old Tsurumi, who weighs just 33kg, on Friday added to Japan's medal collection with a superb podium finish at London's O2 Arena.
Tsurumi, who was leading the way after both the first and second rotations, fell away in the final two disciplines but still held on for third place.
She came 17th in the all-around final at the Olympic Games in Beijing last year, but this performance in the world championships will elevate her status.
And she revealed she has surprised herself by winning bronze in only her second major international tournament.
"My goal was to finish in the top eight this time so I never expected third place. I am very happy," she said.
Tsurumi made the most of her two favourite apparatus - the uneven bars and the beam - to build a narrow lead of 0.225 pts on the field heading into the third rotation.
She did not attempt the most difficult floor routine and, although it was exceptionally crafted, it saw her slip down the rankings to third spot.
A solid vault wrapped up her competition as she finished just 0.025 pts ahead of Lauren Mitchell, the Australian.
"The first two events are my best so I expected to go down after those, and that's what happened," Tsurumi said.
Tsurumi was delighted to provide a shot in the arm to women's gymnastics in her home country, so soon after Uchimura's gold medal-winning performance.
"In Japan, the men's team is very strong and it is natural for them to win. It is time for the women," she told AFP.
"But the women's team is strong. Since last year, more attention has been on us. We are growing stronger and stronger and I hope this continues."
