Max Whitlock’s latest setback may have taken centre-stage at the European Championships but his legacy is already emerging in the shape of a new star who is eager to emulate his hero.

Hours before Whitlock failed to win his expected medal in the men’s pommel after coming off midway through his routine in Glasgow, Great Britain’s Jamie Lewis had swept to five medals in the European junior event.

The highly-rated Woking 17-year-old will move up to the senior ranks with immediate effect,  and is targeting a place at Tokyo 2020 – inspired by the trail blazed by double Olympic champion Whitlock.

Lewis told Press Association Sport: “There are so many great gymnasts and pommel workers but Max has got it all – I want to follow him and go on to win Olympic gold medals.

“Max is such an inspiration in everything he does. Seeing someone who you have worked with in the gym go out there and win two golds in one hour in Rio was just amazing.

“We see him work in the gym and he inspires us to think we can do it to. It makes it easier to aim for something like Tokyo 2020 when you know someone who has gone out there and done it.”

Britain Gymnastics European Championships
Max Whitlock is inspiring a new generation of British stars (Darko Bandic/AP)

Lewis will enter a healthy but crowded market in the GB men’s team for the build-up to Tokyo, with rumours persisting that Louis Smith will return for the Tokyo cycle to target a fifth Olympic medal.

Dominick Cunningham staked his own claim with a brilliant gold medal in the men’s floor, while 19-year-old Joe Fraser underlined his credentials by qualifying for two individual finals.

Whitlock’s latest setback – in which he once again handed pommel gold to his rising Irish rival Rhys McClenaghan – comes as a concern but his team-mates are convinced the 25-year-old will be back on top form for Tokyo.

Dominick Cunningham
Dominick Cunningham claimed gold in the men’s floor (Jane Barlow/PA)

James Hall, who just missed out on an individual medal on the high bar, said: Max has had to change routines since the Commonwealth Games and it’s not been easy for him.

“It’s back to the drawing-board for him but I know he’ll be back. Max showed us it’s possible, and all of us will learn from this and be back to chase the Russians next time.”