On October 3rd, Team Japan asserted its dominance on the world gymnastics stage. Surging ahead of China in second place and the USA in third, Japan scored an impressive total score of 255.594. The finals witnessed the top three qualifiers, all hailing from Japan, securing the team gold medal. With the rule allowing only two gymnasts per nation to advance to the individual all-around final, Japan faced a crucial decision. Surprisingly, Olympic champion Daiki Hashimoto, who emerged third behind his teammate Kaya Kazuma, got a chance at the all-around final.
As the individual all-around competition unfolds, the crowd goes wild, knowing the inspiring journey Hashimoto has undertaken. In August, this young gymnast faced a tragedy that could have potentially ended his career. During the 31st FISU Summer World University Games in Chengdu, in the floor exercise, the opening rotation, Hashimoto made an uncharacteristic landing mistake. In the following rotation, he fell off the pommel horse and suffered a severe head injury. Overwhelmed with disappointment and tears, he was forced to withdraw from the event.? Now, as Hashimoto takes his place on the world stage once again, he is on a mission to redeem himself from the heartbreak of the recent past.
Daiki Hashimoto on a gymnastics redemption mission
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A recent tweet from Gymnastics Now highlights Hashimoto’s performance on the pommel horse, stating, “Hashimoto Daiki (JPN) PH: Flair spindle work. Scissor to handstand – executed smoothly. His flop work is impeccable. Roth. Flaired magyar to sivado. His dismount to handstand is nothing short of spectacular. A BIG set. 14.366!”
Hashimoto Daiki (JPN) PH: Flair spindle work. Scissor to hstd – smooth. Flop work is strong. Roth. Flaired magyar to sivado. Dismount to handstand is wonderful. BIG set. 14.366!#ARTWorlds2023
? Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) October 5, 2023
Another post from the same source echoes the praise, “Hashimoto Daiki (JPN) PH: Flair spindle work. Scissor to handstand – executed smoothly. His flop work is impeccable. Roth. Flaired magyar to sivado. His dismount to handstand is nothing short of spectacular. A BIG set. 14.366!”
Hashimoto Daiki (JPN) PH: Flair spindle work. Scissor to hstd – smooth. Flop work is strong. Roth. Flaired magyar to sivado. Dismount to handstand is wonderful. BIG set. 14.366!#ARTWorlds2023
? Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) October 5, 2023
Despite the dark shadow of his past on the pommel horse, Hashimoto has managed to redeem himself at the World Championships in the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics – All-Around Final. After trailing at 14th after the first rotation due to challenges in his Floor Exercise the 22 year old surged to the top with a remarkable comeback that left the world in awe.
How he rose to the top at Antwerp
The Japanese Olympic champion Daiki Hashimoto secured his second all-around men?s title at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp with an impressive 86.132 total score. After a slow start on the floor, Hashimoto showcased remarkable control on the parallel bars and clinched gold on the final rotation, scoring 14.500 on the high bar, the same apparatus that had contributed to Japan’s team gold earlier.
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Illia Kovtun of Ukraine claimed the silver medal with 84.998 points, while 19-year-old Frederick Richard of the USA took home the bronze with a score of 84.332 points. Hashimoto aims to add more medals to the floor and high bar apparatus finals on Saturday.
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