Daiki Hashimoto, reigning Olympic gymnastics men's all-around gold medalist and two-time defending world champion, returns to the spotlight on Saturday, July 27.
On the first full day of competition at the Paris Olympics, Hashimoto is set to participate in qualifying at Bercy Arena in the French capital.
Three years ago, in his Olympic debut at the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games, Hashimoto captured the gold while competing without spectators in the stands at Ariake Gymnastics Centre.
This time, the 22-year-old Chiba Prefecture native views the Paris Olympics as a brand new experience.
"It's going to be my first Olympics where I'm competing in front of fans. And also my first overseas," Hashimoto was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "It's my second Olympics but really it feels like my first."
Hashimoto is also the defending Olympic champion in the men's horizontal bar. The Paris 2024 final for that event is on Monday, August 5.
Daiki Hashimoto Downplays Gymnastics Rivalry with Asian Neighbor
National pride is on the line as the gymnasts get ready to compete and aim for glory in the men's team final on Monday, July 29.
In the 21st century, Japan or China has placed first in the Olympic men's team final all but once, with the Russian Olympic Committee team nabbing the title at the Tokyo Games.
Japan claimed team gold in 2004 and 2016 and placed runner-up at the 2008 Beijing Games, 2012 London Games and 2020 Tokyo Games.
China grabbed the title in 2000, 2008 and 2012, with third-place finishes in the last two Olympiads.
Speaking a few days before the competition kicks off, Hashimoto said the title chase isn't just a Japan-China narrative.
"I understand that the (Japan-China rivalry) is what everyone is interested in," Hashimoto was quoted as saying by Reuters after a training session at Bercy Arena on Wednesday, July 24.
"But it's not just Japanese and Chinese athletes here. There are athletes from other countries too and I want all of us to have a good tournament."
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the International Olympic Committee banned Russia from participating in team sports at the Paris Games. Therefore, the Russian squad will not defend its men's title in France.
Perspective from 'King Kohei'
Retired gymnastics legend Kohei Uchimura, aka "King Kohei," said he expects Hashimoto to have another successful showing on the global stage.
And after winning back-to-back all-around Olympic titles in 2012 and 2016 and six consecutive world titles in his heyday, Uchimura speaks with authority on the subject.
"I believe Hashimoto, who does the world's best training, is the strongest in the world," Uchimura said, according to Agence France-Presse. "But the Olympics have the power to transform athletes.
"It's about whether Hashimoto can remain his overwhelmingly strong self and whether his rivals transform."
Advice from Uchimura
Speaking to reporters in Paris, Daiki Hashimoto shared some insights about a conversation he had with King Kohei.
They discussed the mental approach about returning to the Olympics to defend a title.
"He told me not to think about repeating as Olympic champion," Hashimoto said of Uchimura, according to Inside the Games.
Added Hashimoto, "He told me the most important thing was for me to give the performance that I wanted to give. I think his records are amazing and I really respect him, but I can't become him, he's Kohei Uchimura and I'm me."
The men's all-around final is on Wednesday, July 31.
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Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.
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