Deviatovski edges McNeill and Keatings in first round of gymnastics qualifying

Russian takes early lead at world championships

LONDON — Maxim Deviatovski of Russia has the early lead in qualifying at the world gymnastics championships, edging American Tim McNeill and Britain’s Daniel Keatings.

Deviatovski scored 89.350 points on Tuesday while McNeill, runner-up at the U.S. championships two months ago, leapfrogged Keatings on the final event. McNeill’s impressive parallel bars routine gave him 88.775 points, putting him just ahead of Keatings (88.4).

Kazuhito Tanaka, who led early on, dropped to fourth after a fall off the pommel horse.

Olympic silver medalist Kohei Uchimura and American Jonathan Horton, the main contenders for the men’s all-around title, compete in later qualifying sessions Tuesday.