Chinese women get 1st gold, Yang wins vault title

TOKYO – Sui Lu gave the Chinese women their first gold medal at the world gymnastics championships, winning the balance beam title Sunday.

Sui’s routine was practically flawless, earning her a 15.866 that put her in front of teammate Yao Jinnan. All-around champ Jordyn Wieber of the United States won the bronze for her third medal at worlds. She will compete on floor exercise later Sunday.

Earlier Sunday, Yang Hak-seon of South Korea won the men’s vault title with the hardest vault ever attempted. Yang’s handspring front triple twist — twisting three times while doing a somersault in a stretched-out position — has a start value of 7.4, two-tenths of a point higher than any other vault done, and four-tenths higher than the vault most of the top men do.