Brazilian gymnastic champion confident at Rio Olympics

Olympic gymnastics champion Arthur Zanetti said he was confident to replicate his London Olympic Games success in Rio.

Zanetti, the only Brazilian and first Latin American to ever win an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics, beat world champion Eleftherios Petrounias at the Rio test event to win last week.

After winning the gold, the Olympic rings champion said he had been focused on his expert event.

"Last year, to help the Brazilian team, I participated in various events. However, in 2016, I have focused on rings as winning the gold again is my goal," he said.

Zanetti is very confident he will able to repeat his London feat in front of the Rio crowds after the Games kick off on Aug. 5.

"During the Olympic Games, the equipment will be the same, the crowd will be the same, and the atmosphere will be the same. I will try to do my absolute best," he told Xinhua.

Zanetti's closest rival, China's Chen Yibing, had to settle for silver in London.

Asked about how he would overcome the pressure of competing at home, Zanetti said he had a way to deal with it.

"When I am not training, I try to relax by spending time with my girlfriend, watching a film, or walking my dog. All this removes some of the pressure of the Olympics," he said.

However, he said the pressure was not as much as people imagined.

"In London, I already reached my goal. Now, I am at home, I can focus on training and relaxation," explained the champion.

"It is a great pride to see the Brazilian national flag and hear the national anthem when you are on the podium. I'm a reserved person and I do not show much emotion. But when I won the medal, I was filled with joy," said a happy Zanetti. Endit