Stoddart shines in gymnastics

Stoddart finished his day having placed first overall in his section of the all-round event with 72.850 points. He was first in the rings with 12.800, seventh in the floor exercises, nine in the pommel horse, eighth in the parallel bars and third in the horizontal bar.

It was an outstanding all-round performance, but the Hibiscus Coast gymnast won't know where he stands in the overall field until the second section of gymnasts compete in the evening session.

Stoddart wasn't the only New Zealander to provide highlights. Alex Istock was first in the horizontal bar with a score of 13.200 and sixth in the parallel bars.

William Fu-Allen placed third in the floor exercises and Misha Koudinov's best discipline was the parallel bars, where he was 10th.

The New Zealand team - Stoddart, Istock, Fu-Allen and Koudinov - placed fourth in the team event in their section, behind India, Bangladesh and Singapore.

• Once the evening session was completed, the situation for the New Zealanders changed markedly. They finally finished 10th in the team event. Stoddart ended up 13th in the individual all-round, so made the field of 18 for the final. He also qualified for the rings final, having finished ninth in qualifying. Istock was seventh overall on the horizontal bar so he booked a place in the final. Fu-Allen just missed making the floor exercises final, finishing as first reserve.