Three years after a heartbreaking loss at the Tokyo Olympics, Japan’s men’s artistic gymnastics team is locked in for a high-stakes showdown in Paris. Their mission? To dethrone rivals China 🇨🇳 and reclaim team gold for the first time since Rio 2016. 🏅
\"We’ve been training with revenge in our hearts,\" said Daiki Hashimoto, Japan’s all-around star, referencing their 0.103-point loss to Russia in Tokyo. With China now their top competitor, the squad is banking on their superior difficulty scores (D-scores) and a balanced roster to secure victory. 💪
Coach Hisashi Mizutori confirmed simulations show Japan’s routines could edge out China’s, but warns: \"One mistake could cost everything.\" China’s ace Zhang Boheng – absent at the 2023 Worlds – adds pressure, while Hashimoto battles a finger injury. \"I’ll push to 100% by Paris,\" he vowed. 🤕➡️💯
The July 29 final promises drama: Japan’s seasoned team, including Tokyo bronze medalist Kazuma Kaya, faces a rising Chinese squad. Will Japan’s \"Rio 2016-style balance\" of veterans and newcomers deliver gold? 🤸♂️✨
