Daiki Hashimoto, the 2021 Olympic all-around gold medalist and six-time consecutive Japanese all-around champion, showed his confidence during a press conference ahead of the NHK Cup, which opens on May 14 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. The event also serves as the second selection for the World Championships (starting October 17 in Amsterdam, Netherlands) and the second selection for the Asian Games in Nagoya (starting September 19). After final practice on May 13, Hashimoto said, “My condition is improving, and I’m full of excitement. This year, my theme is to win overwhelmingly, so I want to come out on top with no mistakes over the two days. I have no intention of giving up the top spot from the All-Japan championships.”
Hashimoto is set to unleash a long‑sealed high‑difficulty vault: the Yonekura (stretched Kasamatsu with two and a half twists). He last used this vault in the all‑around at the 2021 All‑Japan championships. Earlier this year, he avoided it at the All‑Japan meet after suffering a left shoulder injury during horizontal bar practice on March 14, but now he is ready to take on the challenge. “My legs and shoulders are in good shape, and I’ve been training very well, so I think I can aim for it. I’ve wanted to use it every year, but it kept happening that I didn’t attempt it at the All‑Japan or the NHK Cup. This year I want to break through that barrier,” he vowed.
In the men’s competition, starting scores from the All‑Japan championships are carried over into the two‑day event, giving Hashimoto a lead over rival Shinnosuke Oka, who is seeking his third consecutive NHK Cup title. With both the Asian Games and World Championships ahead, Hashimoto aims to stop Oka’s streak. “I haven’t won the NHK Cup since 2023, so this year I want to win decisively and earn my place as the top representative,” he said emotionally.
【World Championships Selection】
Both the men’s and women’s teams have five slots. For the men, the top three from the NHK Cup (scores are based on the All‑Japan results) will be selected. For the women, the top four with half the All‑Japan score carried over will qualify. The top two men and top three women will also represent Japan at the autumn Asian Games in Nagoya. The remaining spots will be filled by gymnasts who contribute to the team’s overall performance.