Uladzislaw Hancharow wins trampoline gold for Belarus

Uladzislaw Hancharow (Uladzislau Hancharou) of Belarus won the gold medal in the men’s trampoline gymnastics at the Rio Olympics on Saturday.

The 20-year-old Vitsyebsk-born Belarusian upstaged 2012 Olympic gold medalist Dong Dong and world champion Gao Lei, both of China, who took the solver and the bronze, respectively.

Trampoline made its Olympic debut in 2000 and this is the first time a Belarusian athlete has won a medal. It was also Belarus' first gold of these Games.

Mr. Hancharow won a silver medal at the world championships in 2015 and a bronze medal at the world championships in 2014, and was the European champion in 2014 and 2016.

“The entire nation watched with a sinking heart as you conquered the sky of the gymnastics arena in Rio by your brilliant performance,” Alyaksandr Lukashenka said in his message of congratulations to the new Olympic champion.