Gymnastics - American Hurd wins all-around title at world championships

[October 07, 2017]    (Reuters) - American Morgan Hurd seized the all-around title at the gymnastics world championships in Montreal on Friday.

Morgan Hurd of the United States competes on the uneven bars during the 47th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Montreal Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

The 16-year-old grabbed the United States' seventh straight Olympic or world all-around title by edging out Canada’s Elsabeth Black 55.232 to 55.132.

U.S. champion Ragan Smith withdrew minutes before the competition with an ankle injury. Smith, a favorite to take the gold after finishing second in qualifications, was taken for X-Rays and her absence cleared the way for Hurd.

Injuries have plagued the competition with Romania's Larisa Iordache, a two-time world all-around medalist, tearing her Achilles tendon during the warmups and Kohei Uchimura pulling out of the men's qualifications due to a torn ankle ligament.

Russia’s Elena Eremina took third with a total of 54.799. Japan’s Mai Murakami was fourth, followed by Melanie de Jesus dos Santos of France.

Hurd’s triumph makes her the youngest Olympic or world all-around champion since Aliya Mustafina in 2010.

(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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