“Hoped for a performance that I could be more satisfied with, but I’ll leave that for Paris,” Shoko Miyata braved through a groin injury as she knew exactly what was on the line after her third consecutive gold win at the NHK Trophy. As a 19-year-old spearheading a group of teenagers at the Games, she was the favorite to bring home a women’s gymnastics medal, an honor that has eluded Japan for six decades now. Too bad that poor judgment on two occasions threw a spanner in the works.

In an investigation conducted by the Japanese Gymnastics Association (JGA), Miyata admitted to smoking once in Tokyo and drinking in the privacy of her room at a training facility between late June and July on another occasion. Consequently, JGA executive director Kenji Nishimura told reporters at a press conference on July 19: “Both parties discussed the matter and decided to withdraw [Miyata] from the Olympics.”

In her confession, Miyata announced her withdrawal, citing, “I was under a lot of pressure, and that is why I did what I did.” While a coping mechanism may have been the teenager’s go-to, it violated the national team’s code of conduct, i.e. even if they are of legal age–20 years and above – they are not allowed to smoke and drink during team activities.

Amid the enormous responsibility and the backlash owing to being tagged as a national embarrassment, Miyata deactivated her Instagram account. Against the backdrop of the recent developments, Miyata’s personal coach also shed light on the Juntendo University-trained gymnast’s mental health conditions amid the pressure. “I would implore people to understand that,” he urged. But here’s the catch!

Far from drawing on a passive narrative that she just threw the towel in, one of the oldest newspapers in Japan and Asia, the Asahi Shimbun (1879), reported that Miyata was, in fact, compelled to leave the team. However, after her withdrawal, the Japanese women’s artistic gymnastics quintet will have to move forward as a quartet. The reserve athlete, 24-year-old Aiko Sugihara, won’t be moving to replace Miyata. According to the association, a substitution is allowed only in case of injuries. Moreover, the deadline (July 8) to add more athletes representing the country in the 2024 Paris Olympics has also passed.

As compared to the rest of the team, Miyata was fairly equipped with the pressures of performing internationally. She won a balance beam bronze in her 2022 World Championships debut in Liverpool. She propelled the Japanese team to a 7th finish while facing the pros, including Rebeca Andrade, Shilese Jones, and Jade Carey. Interestingly, all of them were lined up to go against her in Paris. Also, in April, she was titled the 2024 All-Japan All-Around Champion, with a stunning 109.798 on the final scoreboard. Clearly, with such accolades, Miyata’s involvement in the team was crucial.

Japan’s hopes for a medal will rely on a dark horse rising to the occasion

After Miyata alighted from the Paris-bound team, it now contains Rina Kishi, Mana Okamura, Haruka Nakamura, and Kohane Ushioku. Interestingly, after 40 years, this was an Olympics-bound Japanese team that featured all debutants.

All of them booked their tickets to the Summer Games with Miyata at the NHK trophy, where Rina joined Miyata on the winner’s dias, as a runner-up. While Mana came in third with 213.994 and Haruka stood fourth with 212.130. But, while the girls are very young, with Haruka being just 16, they are not short of talent. Haruka herself had been the 2023 junior world all-around champion.

Rina, too, is coming off three consecutive years at the All-Japan Championships, starting in 2022, and has she bagged multiple medals. On the other hand, Kohane is coached by Olympic medalist Murakami Mai and has been competing nationally since 2019. With vault being her strength, she has clinched multiple medals at the All-Japan championships in this category. Lastly, 2005-born Mana Okamura also bagged 2 medals at the Cairo World Cup this year and romped in two at the 2023 Asian Games too. Beyond this, she has significant national accolades to her name.

But do you think this is enough for the 4 to measure up against elite gymnasts in Bercy Arena? Let us know below.