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 Jordan's Ali Al Asi made history with his nation's first major international gymnastics gold at the Doha World Cup held Tuesday. Jordan's Ali Al Asi and South Africa's Jennifer Khwela made history with their nation's first gymnastics World Cup titles at the Doha World Cup held Tuesday. Al Asi, 22, won the gold medal on still rings, a first for a Jordanian gymnast. He has two previous World Cup silvers, including a recent second place at the Gymnix World Cup in Montreal. "I'd been trying to do my best for a long time," said Al Asi, who trains under Romanian-born coach Marian Colacel. "But today was the day I'd long been waiting for. It feels very exciting that I could bring the first-ever gold for Jordan." Khwela won women's vault, the first World Cup title for a South African gymnast. "I didn't expect it but I'm proud to win the gold here in Doha," the 18-year-old Khwela said. "I just went through what I'd been practicing and all went well." The women's vault final lacked big names, with no world championship finalists competing. Nonetheless, Khwela's achievement was historic for her nation. "It is amazing that we have won a title outside Africa," her coach Julie Adamson said. "This will take the sport in our country to a new level. We were expecting to finish on the podium after Khwela made it to the finals but we are thrilled to get the gold. "She has made it to the balance beam and floor finals as well and we are hoping for a similar show from her in these events. Hopefully, she can add more medals to our tally." Two Chinese newcomers also took their first World Cup victories in Doha. Huang Yuguo, 20, took first place on men's floor exercise, edging out veterans Hisashi Mizutori (Japan) and Jeffrey Wammes (Netherlands). "This is my first competition outside China, and I'm really excited to have started with a first place," Huang said. "I was feeling confident and my moves were neat and came off just as I had them in my mind. The competition in the final was close and I feel it is a good start to my international career." China's Huang Qiushuang, 18, won uneven bars by the day's largest margin of victory, 15.025-13.850. Teammate Wu Liufang, 15, finished second, ahead of Canada's Bianca Dancose-Giambattisto, 16. Two-time world championships silver medalist Krisztian Berki (Hungary) won pommel horse. Berki turned 25 on March 18. Competition in Doha concludes Wednesday with the remaining finals. External Link: Official Web Site 2010 Doha World Cup
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