The stage was set for something special at October’s World Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Glasgow (GBR): With its giant screen, shooting flames and rock star-style introductions for the gymnasts, the 46th Worlds set a new standard for razzle-dazzle in presentation. The gymnasts too rose to the occasion, with World champions Simone Biles (USA) and Kohei Uchimura (JPN) smashing title records in a tour de force, proving again that they are far and away the greatest of their generation.

History was in the air in Glasgow. With Olympic qualification on the line for the top eight teams and individual event medallists, old records fell like autumn leaves outside the luminous SSE Hydro Arena.

The biggest stars of the Glasgow show were Biles and Uchimura, who led their respective teams to victory. Individually, each set a record for consecutive All-around wins, and finished the competition with their 10th World gold medal around their necks. For Biles, this was another historic first: she has now won more world titles than any female gymnast ever.

The host country contributed largely to the firsts. Great Britain not only mounted the podium for the first time in the men’s and women’s team competition, but had its first Men’s World champion in Max Whitlock, the winner on Pommel Horse.

The emergence of the powerful Manrique Larduet brought Cuba its first All-around medal, while the Brazilian men qualified a team to the Olympics for the first time ever. Success was just as sweet for the Dutch women and the Swiss men, each of whom will send full teams to the Olympics for the first time in a generation.