Gymnast Stoddart delighted with form

Daniel Stoddart said he was 'stoked' with his 12th placing in the men's artistic gymnastics all-around final.

The Hibiscus Coast gymnast improved one spot on his qualifying position when he contested the all-around final.

The 23-year-old turned in a sold series of

performances. He was very good in the floor exercises, good on the parallel bars, the horizontal bar and the rings, and poor in the vault, where he lost a lot of ground on the leaders.

Though he was solid on the rings, he might have hoped for more, considering he has also qualified to contest the rings final.

Stoddart said he felt he did his job, improving on his qualifying performance. 'It's been so cool competing in the final. I tried to soak up the atmosphere.'

The New Zealander totalled 73.550, which left him 6.100 points behind the winner, Reuben Ward of Scotland.