Epke Zonderland Wins Artistic Men's Horizontal Bar Gold - London 2012 Olympics

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Epke Zonderland (NED) wins the gold medal in the men's gymnastic artistic horizontal bar at the London 2012 Olympic Games (7 August).
Germany's Fabian Hambuchen took silver in the event with China's Zou Kai taking bronze.
Artistic gymnastics was introduced at the very first Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens, and has been present at every edition of the Games since then. At the beginning, it comprised disciplines that are difficult to qualify as "artistic", such as climbing and acrobatics.
The foundations of the Olympic gymnastics programme were laid at the 1924 Games in Paris, when the men's apparatus individual and team competitions appeared. In 1928, women were included in the Amsterdam Games. It was not until 1952 that the women's programme was developed, with seven events, and then stabilised at six events as from the 1960 Games in Rome.
Find more about Artistic Gymnastics at www.olympic.org/artistic-gymna...
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[@Linda-hs1lk]

2012 Olympics Epke wins gold. Now, SIX years later, he's became World champion again in Doha, but not only that, he became a father and.....yes......he's a DOCTOR! Dutch Superman!

[@evieludwig561]

Ja❤️

[@fizzao1342]

Wow! Respect for him. He seems a great guy too.

[@4575rach]

and a surgeon too!!! amazing!!

[@VinodKumar-cx4jg]

superb...

[@VinodKumar-cx4jg]

superb....

[@White_Hare]

Day XX of quarantine: I'm watching the finals of the Artistic Men's Horizontal Bar Gold from the London 2012 Olympics while eating guacamole-flavored potato chips (which I STRONGLY recommend) at 5:34 AM with no clear intentions of going to sleep.

[@ZepHoffman]

XD best coment

[@moodyblues9675]

Same

[@1Fresh_Water]

I'm eating dill pickle flavored popcorn!

[@fieliep1040]

sounds like dead inside, I'm in

[@DrPepper776]

been binge watching olympic stuff from any year. just at a healthy platter of brown rice, avacado and rotisserie chicken, with a cup of coffee. at 5:22 am after staying up all night.

[@NevilleG123]

the flying Dutchman.

[@esther589]

This comment is everything XD

[@nathandepater1881]

+esther589 boring and unoriginal 😜

[@jonathancorwin5133]

+Nathan de Pater so true

[@slozopix9661]

Very original. Let's call him the Flying Frisian, shall we?

[@jasminejohnston6393]

Yep, just like the Flying Dutchman of the Winter Olympics Sven Kramer!

[@jody024]

Great performance, but in the end the greatest part was seeing how all competitors showed respect to each other

[@instacheese]

+jody024 You aren't kidding. Flipping amazing watching competitors be happy for each other, despite the outcome. Love it!

[@Jonnhy0989]

+jody024 Always it's good to see that. Although I think is not the greatest part, not the focus, but it is great for sure! I love it!

[@teddy9770]

I love that, too. I think at some point it's just like "it's us against the equipment", they're in that together. I also can imagine that they kind of like and know each other, I mean they meet the same people again and again at every conpetition.

[@maudstorel3592]

+Teddy 97 op

[@countrysunshine1845]

hey

[@ifartonbunnys]

Whenever I feel too proud of myself I watch this

[@MohamedMostafa-ub3hk]

' نو

[@MsSlucyna]

@@MohamedMostafa-ub3hk The problem is, I never feel proud of myself. And this video doesn't help.

[@JDYTC]

And studying medicine in the mean time... This guy makes me feel like such a sloth.

[@joeyotr5383]

you are

[@V-D.]

@@joeyotr5383 duuuuude haha be kind

[@benicioreis3694]

The amazing Spiderman !

[@herstory4768]

What?

[@benicioreis3694]

@@herstory4768 they are the Spiderman true .

[@aimlesfez]

This was my olympic moment. Casually stumbled upon the final while browsing tv. stuck. I thought the german was amazing. And then the dutch killed it. Still watch this video from time to time.

[@thelastzeppelin]

Happened exactly the same to me. I just found this video after searching it poorly for years.

[@slevinkelevra5901]

aimlesfez Be careful you could become an Olympic junkie like me 🙁😁

[@chifanlee7488]

@@thelastzeppelin /l

[@kittyviveen9448]

I'm Dutch, so really proud of Epke. And he's a funny guy wich is always nice. He got married this year, and when asked about it he said : "My wife was impressed by my agility during the wedding night." Now - that's a true gold medal winner!

[@MrBucky204]

vind je het gek?? voor ze gingen slapen stond Epke even op zijn handen en daarna gewoon 4 salto,s in de slaapkamer hahahahaha is lollig bedoeld

[@ErickCuelo]

😆🙌🏼

[@dantiongson3014]

Owen Wilson's routine still gives me the chills

[@MariviBorjas]

HAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA he's not only a good actor, he is a great gymnast too 😂

[@ANARodriguez-xl1xt]

I can’t 🤣🤣🤣

[@CanoManuelGonzaga]

That gold winning dismount still amazes me. It's like he was meant to win the medal right from the very beginning.

[@ishmaelsipho3156]

That gold winning dismount still amazes me. It's like he was meant to win the medal right from the very beginning.

[@CanoManuelGonzaga]

ishmael sipho Why did you copy my comment?

[@DDRGaming]

Why did you copy my comment?

[@ishmaelsipho3156]

Why did you copy my comment?

[@sbonnet2004]

That gold winning dismount still amazes me. It's like he was meant to win the medal right from the very beginning.

[@norisori_]

it made my day to see the guys and even coaches hug each other, that was so sweet and they seemed genuinely happy. i'm glad people aren't salty at this level of competition.

[@hugegymnasticsfan3575]

I always feel for the person who has to go after Epke. I wouldn't want to be that person!

[@rosenotarte9440]

Talaga met

[@Valerilux]

"Just watch me enjoy this man's releases." ... O.o

[@Sarah-hu1ev]

Xing-Fen Hu 😂

[@ododo2004]

Hahhaha

[@MaxwellEindhoven]

He released them very manly ;)

[@prabirdey7610]

My mom be

[@rugbyfan0025]

"Just watch *and* enjoy this man's releases"

[@renzoqrod843]

!!!!...EPKE ZONDERLAND... IS THE MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE....!!!

[@Hollister4life24]

At 8:20 the family is just waving the flag like maniacs and the girl in the middle is just like chilling and drinking the soda xD

[@gingerukaegbu3778]

Sydney nice

[@jean-pierredalbera5869]

@@gingerukaegbu3778 iplonheô

[@CraigPaulWilson]

Zonderland with one of the all time great Olympic gymnastics performances. Astonishing.

[@audreylockhart90]

Epke Zonderland’s routine lives in my mind rent-free.

[@CountryCowboy008]

He's so good, he made the bars look like rings

[@herstory4768]

Lmao

[@meenah_s]

I love watching finals like this, everyone goes clean, and the best win with no controversy. All the athletes seem to totally support each other as well. Brilliant.

[@jewel7784]

Epke is really attractive too omg

[@BeautyAnimash]

he has a girlfriend, too bad :(

[@CountryCowboy008]

@@BeautyAnimash uhm that's why divorce was created lma9

[@Snaakie83]

He does have a younger brother...

[@me-dc8pj]

He looks a lot like the 5th Doctor from Doctor Who. Almost disturbingly so lol

[@zitaconickx9847]

fabian and epke are soooooo good they are also good friends! Its lovely to see

[@erinjohnson1124]

Well after Zonderland got completely robbed at the 2010 Worlds in his home country, him getting the gold here at the Olympics was beyond satisfying, not to mention the world medals he racked up after this. He will always be the GOAT on this apparatus!

[@Garwen1976]

I remember watching this at the time in utter awe.

[@charleytengbergen770]

I'm dutch, but I watched it in turkey haha

[@lisannekooijman9124]

I am dutch too, i saw this while eating chicken wings. (strange that i remember tough)

[@SuAva]

I'm Dutch too, I was watching this on my phone while riding my bike to work, lol. Didn't wanna miss it!

[@MsSlucyna]

@@lisannekooijman9124 Youb

[@MsSlucyna]

@@lisannekooijman9124 Because of the emotions you were experiencing at the same time. It helps to remember.

[@eugvh18]

Zonderland just blows everybody away making other gymnasts look weak

[@hosseinhasanpour9253]

everytime I watch Epke his moves on the bar I get goose pimples

[@CasperWoude]

skip to 18:55 for epke

[@leo_le_lion]

Casper Woudenberg thank you!!!

[@mandypaulissen]

Casper Woudenberg are you Dutch because I am 😇😇😇😇😇😇😇🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄🦄😋😋😋😋😋😋😎😎😎😎😎

[@YaelGC7]

Mandy Paulissen I’m Dutch

[@kayematildeposo2141]

Thankyou

[@LachFlex]

Lol, why on earth is the thumbnail Epke holding Cross on RINGS!? This is Highbar! XD Great video though

[@vincentbonomo3185]

Lachlan Walker iiiiiuuuu

[@panagiotislevis2695]

Lachlan Walker 8

[@Wilkat]

Lachlan Walker They needed a picture of epke zonderland

[@TheLukeoflove]

IKR!

[@carolinamelo2373]

Lachlan Walker llll

[@knicole3865]

I remember watching this with my Mom and just freaking out after Zonderland stuck that landing.

[@something_nothing]

he didnt stick it... he took a step backwards

[@poonzers93]

RotundRiceRockets lol no he stuck the landing. the commentators themselves said he stuck the landing.

[@XJDesigns1]

RotundRiceRockets Not seeing it.

[@something_nothing]

lol idk why i said that... watching it again i see no step.... weird

[@blauwwittenar]

EN HIJ STAAT !!

[@ingridjager3134]

he made the Netherlands proud with that routine of him.

[@averyw1497]

I love how they congratulate each other, the pinnacle of athletic ability AND sportsmanship

[@JimmyDeLocke]

Jonathan Horton said it all. "That was amazing." It could have gone any number of other ways, score wise, but face it -- Ep's routine totally floored they other guys. One of the Chinese guys was still grinning while they were waiting for the score! (21:46) He had the most ridiculously difficult and hazardous set, which hit hit, and nailed the dismount. Epke won the day for sure. I also loved the sportsmanship shown by Fabian (29:20) He's genuinely happy for Ep!

[@nadiaiscoool]

the way all the athletes congratulate and hug one another is so nice to see, there must be a deep level of understanding and almost companionship from being within a sport that intensive from such a young age.

[@Vaninasanta]

Epke´s Difficulty: 7.9?? I mean... what does an 8 take?

[@StefandeJong1]

+vanina s Chuck Norris.

[@scootzzzz8442]

+Stefan de Jong Funny enough chuck's grandson is a gymnast. Chuck was at one of his grandsons meets and I met him. he's pretty chill.

[@MrJr01]

When solving a difficult math equation mid-air.

[@esmeralda9147]

What does an 10 take? That's what I'm asking haha xD

[@silverleopardcat]

Well, to answer that, the d-score isn't out of 10. Each element has a difficulty level assigned to it in the gymnastics Code of Points, so when you add up all of the elements Epke performed, it comes to 7.9. An 8 would mean he upgraded the difficulty somewhere (extra turns in the pirouettes or an extra half-twist in a release, for instance), or connected two elements back-to-back. A d-score of 7.9 is insanely high as it is, and that's in part because he connected those three releases.

[@ycao6]

no one mentioned the commentary. Shannon Miller and the other one are the best. Much better than NBC! Thank u!

[@need4speed4245]

It's crazy how so many people thought the first 2 chinese atheletes would be 1-2 after their performance. They didn't know Epke and the German powerhouse would deliver such epic routines.

[@WitoldBanasik]

Epke- you are a wonderful creature just out of this world !!!! Mind- numbingly difficult and precise routine by you !!! Well- dome, mate !!! Long Live Epke !!!

[@TheMusicFactory91]

Onze 'Flying Dutchman'!!

[@jojogirl2008]

Nope. Not just the Dutch. I'm not Dutch, yet I cannot stop watching this spectacular performance by Epke!

[@theonenamedrayray]

Definitely one of my favorite events of the London 2012 Olympics. It was truly AMAZING. Everyone did their best and those routine were jaw dropping.

[@DarronSmithBahamianMillionaire]

That was a truly amazing performance by Zonderland and his difficulty was crazy! Excellent top three!

[@SHVideografie]

Amazing too see such sportsmanship among the athletes and coaches btw!

[@MsSlucyna]

Probably because they know each of them can easily break his neck any moment. The more they appreciate the survivors!

[@Maric98]

why is the thumbnail of this video Epke hanging in the rings????

[@Emily-nd6jb]

IKR crazy

[@ramenandigo]

Sefiworks A better question is, why is he doing a bent arm cross?

[@ramenandigo]

***** I don't think so. Look at the angle of his elbow. With hyper extended elbows, his elbows should be lower than his shoulders and wrists, not higher than his wrists. Compare this cross to Chen Yibing's cross, who has clearly hyper extended elbows, and notice how they're actually opposites. On a side note, I'm pretty sure Epke doesn't have hyper extended elbows, based on seeing his handstand. Also, it's known that he does things in sloppier form than most gymnasts. I saw him doing a clearly bent arm straddle planche as well.

[@SoonYoungKim_94]

+Sol Hermelin I think his stronger suit is high bar and parallel bars, while being average on the other apparatuses.

[@ramenandigo]

Hestia Absolutely, but you'd expect an elite gymnast to have a straight arm cross, no matter his specialty.

[@YouFriller]

Just absolutely love the commentary! Shannon Miller is positive and just exited. Great!

[@CodySDivineCreators]

I wish the women had that kind of sportsmanship

[@guco2862]

This moment when you're German and Dutch :') soo proud of them 👏🏼

[@SlendyMane]

Oh my dyslexia... I thought the title said, "Epic Zoolander"

[@Lady.Thirteen]

Something I enjoy about Zonderland... he's so nonchalant about everything. The Dutch and Swiss are so laid back about their brilliance.

[@4GymnasticsLife]

I cried when Epke landed and I cried harder when I saw his score, I was so happy!

[@dorakam7360]

I love Zou Kai but I think the performance of Zonderland was superb

[@Daffietjuh00]

I love how they all congatulate each other. That's real sport. Plus Epke Zonderland did an amazing job. He deserved it.

[@hambaallah571]

Pulau Gili Ketapang, Probolinggo, Jawa Timur. Hadir.🇮🇩 Kamis,30-04-2020. 12:08.

[@konfusionxD]

Truly amazing.

[@SuperMichgirl]

I got chills all over my body damn And the spectater even said Epke would win 😋

[@paigefanatic90]

Fabian came back in 2016 and took gold!!!

[@FrancieDeBeer]

I've been enjoying watching all of the Olympic gymnastics from last year for the first time now over the past couple of days. Thanks for having all these events available on KZbin in their entirety! My husband keeps laughing with me, "You're watching Olympics again, aren't you?", as the tears keep welling up in my eyes. They're all fabulous! ..(And by the way, I've been enjoying both of the commentators throughout all of these events, I wish they'd show their faces once in a while.)

[@samarasharif1780]

19:09 is the winners performance amazing

[@gossticky]

They all performed amazingly! Incredible to watch . Gold went to the best guy !

[@kurtpower3619]

one of my most favourite olympic golds won besides usain bolt

[@saqua608]

from now on whenever i want to say, "that was epic!" I am instead going to say, "that was epke!"

[@lionkingmatiouz3441]

Epke's set was insane, with that perfect landing.

[@sk8rjer]

So many awesome performers! I've been watching my grandson train for a few years...he's now thirteen. All the sacrifice...not so easy!! But in the end well worth it!!

[@wodkfh]

1 word... UNBELIEVABLE!

[@LouiseAlll]

Epke is the best on Horizontal Bar, everybody knows, he's deserves the gold, and the next...

[@Sophie-cm2un]

The crowd was saying: “kom op, kom op, jongen!” Which means: “Come on, come on, man!”

[@henk-3098]

it means boy

[@Xiviuz]

Starting off 2021 with a recommended 8 year old Olympic Horizontal Bar video

[@Nolimitsfreak22]

For the dutch this was the moment of the year. Proud to be dutch! You go man!

[@emildonelegado2010]

great sportsmanship . a very friendly competition. 😃

[@olympiayalcin]

Große Talent.Mein Kompliment.Ungewöhnliche leistung.Etwas besser als Hambüchen.

[@Greatgerd]

I remember this, was amazed by Hambuchen but then came Epke..

[@TotoroForLife]

Epek Zonderland, more like Epek Wonderland!!!!! Am I right ladies?

[@vettegaddia6234]

Luis plays The difficulty is wonderful, his execution is NOT. Fabian should have won.

[@jody024]

+Vette gaddia you seem to miss the point here, Epke did something that at the time no other male Gymnast was able to do

[@vettegaddia6234]

jody024 And Olga Korbut did a lot of innovations on UB at the Olympics in 1972. But she did not win the UB title. Olga did such difficulties on UB that the commentators were going nuts. And she even had good form. But they gave the gold to Karin Janz because of artistry and even better form. Sorry, Epke had lousy form. He should have a lot more deductions than the judges gave him. If this was properly judge, Fabian would have won. And BOTH of them know it.

[@jody024]

Vette gaddia What did you even watch ? he was not as sloppy as you say he was, at all.

[@vettegaddia6234]

jody024 Leg separations on ALL of his releases and bend knees. Not hitting his handstands, poor leg form on his dismounts. Don't just look at his HUGE skills, look at his legs and his handstands. Those can incur deductions at much as 0.3-0.5...

[@yellowbanana104]

I never expect to see something as great as the routine done by the flying dutchman!!! that is what men's gymnastics should be like!

[@jomom8844]

Watching this 8 years later and it still amazes me

[@soyaberry]

Epic Epke Zonderland takes us to Wonderland!

[@1joosje1]

Altijd een traantje van blijheid bij deze video dat ons kikkerlandje zo’n talenten heeft.

[@zachd6537]

Wonderland's pirouettes were just as impressive as the releases. The double pirouette was a beauty

[@elifskater.patpat6177]

Epke is always the best,, hij moet zo doorgaan

[@AlyaralovaFan]

don't usually watch men's gymnastics, but I absolutely love the high bar

[@sadie3lisa]

Epke, performance was just unreal! Totally amazing! Good on him!

[@aeh5109]

The respect from the other contestants is so beautiful

[@HillaryHorror]

How is Zonderland even real?!

[@spawn11]

Hillary Leach Hes not real hes Dutch

[@saintconnnor]

***** my sweet summer child, places you have never been before always sound better then they really are, the netherlands isnt an exception :)

[@jcharles1470]

Hillary Leach Hi! Hillary, where are you from?Greetings

[@jody024]

+saintconnor I hope i can get out of the Netherlands ASAP

[@nienkek824]

Nederland Nederland is de beste yeay i♡epke zonderland♥♥♥♥♥♥

[@sayita07]

Epke Zonderland's performance was amazing, he deserved the gold

[@kimwaddell4218]

These scores and performances was unbelievable

[@Parker528]

I remember watching this live and it was awesome. The very year before this at the Worlds, held in his home nation, I also watched (but not live) and he performed that same routine right in front of the now King of the Netherlands (then Prince Willem of Orange) and I am thinking he won, but may have finished second. maybe someone can clarify for me. But he IS the bomb!

[@sarad5220]

Stop saying that epke was sloppy. His diffuculty score was so high, only he can do that. If he would do the same thing as zou kai, fabian hambüchen or jonathan horton, he would still win. Because he is just an amazing and special gymnast. Their excercices are just too easy for him.

[@joseluismolinaespinosa401]

huujj

[@ninkiminjaj1754]

But he was sloppy. Bended arms, bended knees, separated legs, etc. I mean, yeah, it was super difficult but that's only one part of the score. His execution score was a reflection of that sloppiness, and even then, the judges were a bit too benevolent and didn't deduct enough. It was a visually spectacular routine, no doubt about that, but to say he wasn't sloppy? Really, you must be far too infatuated with him to completely overlook what was wrong with his performance. The problem with the current Code of Points is that it rewards difficulty too much and that's why a fair share of gymnasts can get away with having difficult but unpolished routines. Just look at the women's side, qualifying to finals because they perform the Produnova vault which is super difficult but they land on their ass. But hey, the vault was difficult and even though it was poorly executed, they can compete for a medal. It makes no sense.

[@sarad5220]

+Wild Tokay I didn't say that he wasn't sloppy.

[@ninkiminjaj1754]

Sara D Then I don't see why you would ask people to stop saying he was sloppy. Even *you* seem to be implicitly admitting he was. Like I said, you might be infatuated with him, but not all of us are. He was sloppy, whether you're OK with people pointing that out or not. And no, people won't stop saying he was sloppy, even I would say that one and a million times. BECAUSE HE WAS.

[@sarad5220]

+Wild Tokay if you think that he didn't deserve the gold, because the judges didn't deduct enough then I am okay with that. But I would take over a professional jury's opinion over a random person on youtube.

[@jakobschepers2122]

22:22 love the sportsmanship

[@theonenamedrayray]

This was one of my favorite events finals. So much power!!!

[@rorymfitz]

It’s really great that people on the artistic spectrum get their own Olympics

[@yrmomsuncle]

im from america and i cant stop watching it! my gosh unbelievable

[@hugegymnasticsfan3575]

Fabian looked like he hadn't slept. Maybe he was just nervous. Well done to him! After the AA final I think he needed that medal.

[@abigailskullymcdaniel5246]

Amazing! *They fly through the air with the greatest of ease, the daring young men on the...high bar" lol. Epke's routine was not as sloppy as everyone is saying, and besides, the huge D-scores are what will advance the sport and encourage athletes to feel comfortable trying harder stuff. If everyone just wanted perfect execution we would just watch them do super easy skills perfectly...BO-RING. Also I love the awesome sportsmanship, handshaking and smiles between the competitors and coaches. Great attitudes all around. Can't wait for rio!!!

[@BASH_ANGEL]

Epke Zonderland is now a practicing medical doctor..

[@yeohmodels]

nawww im filipino and i come back here every couple of months to watch him. Congratulations!!

[@elv5268]

Epke THE king is The king 👑

[@blackbeauty5717]

everyone did amazing job. simply beautiful

[@phishfearme2]

Epik Zonderland!

[@Inbedwhereelese]

Epik Wonderland!

[@ericriyanto3280]

Nomber 081901646082 indonesia where?

[@beambreaker]

Just absolutely epic. I mean the guy is out of the park

[@missjonahnavarrete]

what an awesome performance epke... goosebumps all over... awesome!!! plus very goodlooking man...

[@alexanderzhu6280]

This match is really exciting!!! All the guys are so incredible!!! Just love it!!!

[@ErickCuelo]

Epke Zonderland ..Tokyo 2020 🥇🙏🏼💪🏼🙌🏻

[@aqeffahrezi9156]

2023 still watching❤