The Paris Olympics are set for a show-stopping clash! At 24, Brody Malone is ready to go toe-to-toe with Japan’s wunderkind, Daiki Hashimoto, who wowed the world with his gold medal at just 19 in Tokyo. Malone, who sees Hashimoto as a high bar to clear, is itching to make his mark and take the crown. Remember when Malone narrowly missed an Olympic high bar medal in 2021, with Hashimoto snatching it away? Meanwhile, Hashimoto has his eyes set on rewriting history once again. But how?

Daiki Hashimoto, now 22, will be defending his title at Paris 2024. But if successful did it, he would join the ranks of his legendary compatriot, Kohei Uchimura, who achieved consecutive all-around titles at London 2012 and Rio 2016. Hashimoto’s previous triumphs, including his victory in Tokyo, last year won the FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. This has set high expectations for his performance in Paris. However, Hashimoto’s path to Paris has not been without challenges.

A ligament injury to his middle finger in May this year cast doubt on his preparations. Despite this setback, Hashimoto remains optimistic, stating, “I think it looks good, but my finger is still not 100 percent, so I can’t let my guard down.” His talent is beyond question; he’s a two-time world all-around champion and remains a top contender, even with less-than-ideal preparation. At the Tokyo Olympics, he not only hit the jackpot by winning gold in the all-around but also soared to victory in the horizontal bar, proving he’s still in the running to shine brightly in Paris 2024.

Reflecting on his Tokyo 2020 win, Daiki Hashimoto embraced the mindset, “The champion must not cry, only look forward.” As he prepares for Paris 2024, he’s focused on more than just winning; he wants to take gymnastics to new levels and make it a major highlight in the sport. With such determination comes the threat to Brody Malone as well.

Brody Malone vs. Hashimoto: Who will triumph in the Paris Olympics showdown?

After a frustrating finish on the high bar at the Tokyo Olympics and a severe knee injury last March that threatened his gymnastics career, Brody Malone is determined to reclaim his place at the top. The U.S. men’s gymnastics team hasn’t won an Olympic medal since 2008, but this year’s squad is eager to break that 16-year drought.

Malone, who finished just out of the medals in Tokyo, is focused on making a strong comeback. Despite his injury caused by a dislocated knee and torn ligaments during a March 2023 competition in Germany. He’s undergone three surgeries and months of intense rehabilitation, and now he’s back in competition shape, ready to make an impact in Paris.

Brody Malone must stay sharp to compete with Daiki Hashimoto. Malone not only admires Hashimoto but also aims to surpass him. To stay motivated, Malone has had his coach post pictures of Hashimoto around the gym to “get my butt in gear and work hard.” With both gymnasts recovered from the injury and now both are gunning for gold in their second Olympics, their clash is sure to be a showdown worth its weight in gold.