Gymnastics: All-rounder Purvis wins World Cup

Liverpool-raised but Scottish by dint of a Dundonian mother, the European bronze medallist took first place in two of the six events amid a world-class field. What impressed most was the calm he displayed when the pressure was on his sculpted shoulders.

A specialist on the floor where he has secured world medals, Purvis picked the perfect moment, in front of a supportive crowd, to demonstrate his all-round potential. Second in his favoured discipline to get his challenge off to a bright start, he delivered both a precision vault and an emphatic display on the parallel bars to lift himself above the newly-crowned European champion Philippe Boy of Germany.

"Winning is a surprise," the 20-year-old said. "I just wanted to go out and show some consistency to the judges in every event. I came last at the World Cup event in Jacksonville last month so to go from that to first

is brilliant. My finger got cut there and I couldn't really perform at my best. But hopefully this shows what I'm capable of."

The World Cup is yet another attempt to replicate the spectator-friendly format of Twenty20

cricket. Golf is having a go with its Powerplay version. We've seen Power Snooker already. Next you know, they'll be having football games with five players on smaller pitches.

Amid gymnastics' quick-fire shoot-out, Purvis came into his own. Third on both the pommel horse and still rings, he overhauled his rivals with steady hands and a spine of steel. The precision of his vault had the legions of young hopefuls taking notes. So too did the judges, who awarded a score of 15.966 which sent him above Boy and into the overall lead.

Former European champion Rafael Martinez of Spain was next to succumb as the Anglo-Scot was first once again, landing steadily on his feet as he twisted into the air to exit from the parallel bars. Only a calamity on the horizontal bar could separate Purvis from the title. He confessed to nerves but did just enough to thwart Boy. "It's a dream result," he admitted, with thoughts of further gains.

His Great Britain team-mate Sam Hunter was eighth but there were positive signs for fellow Scot Dan Keatings on his return to action after a year on the injured list. A wild card, and with ring rust aplenty, his points tally would have placed him fourth overall.

"I'm not at full fitness yet," he said, "but it's still 16 months until the Olympics so I just want to be ready for them."

• Romania's Elena Amelia Racea, the 2011 European all-round bronze medallist, secured the women's World Cup prize last night. Earning 54.566 points over the four disciplines including two first places, the 16-year-old prodigy pushed Venezuela's Jessica Lopez into second spot with Britain's Hannah Whelan ending up fifth.