Nothing or no one, it seemed, would be able to pry a second men’s all-around title in the US. Gymnastics Championships out of Asher Hong’s hands.

But when the Olympic bronze medalist failed to grip the high bar on a twisting pass Saturday night, stunning himself and everyone inside the Smoothie King Center as he crashed to the mat, it seemed at least possible that he could have taken himself out of the running for the gold medal.

“It was like I got hit by a flash grenade in ‘Call of Duty.’ ” Hong said. “I fell and heard some ringing in my ears. I got up and said, ‘OK, I’ve got to lock in and finish strong.’ You can’t let that first event effect the rest of your performance.

“That’s what I did.”

In the moment, Hong was afraid he might be taken aside by the event’s medical staff for a co

See Full Page