Star Metro - Hashimoto ready to step out of Uchimura's shadow at Paris Olympics

Hashimoto became the youngest men's all-around champion in Olympic history when he took gold aged 19 at the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Games three years ago.

Uchimura, who retired in 2022, won successive all-around Olympic titles at London in 2012 and in Rio in 2016. He was also part of the Japan team that took gold in Brazil.

Hashimoto will attempt to emulate Uchimura when the gymnastics competition gets underway in Paris later this week but he is determined to do it his own way.

"He told me not to think about repeating as Olympic champion," Hashimoto said of Uchimura, after practicing at the Bercy Arena with the rest of his Japan team-mates on Wednesday.

"He told me the most important thing was for me to give the performance that I wanted to give.

"I think his records are amazing and I really respect him, but I can't become him -- he's Kohei Uchimura and I'm me."

Hashimoto, also the two-time defending world champion, has faced doubts over his fitness heading into the Games.

He damaged a ligament in the middle finger of his right hand while practising for a competition in May.

He told reporters in Paris that his finger has improved, even if some swelling remains when he wakes up in the morning.

"I can bend my finger a lot now, I can make a fist," he said.

"There is a little bit of pain but it has no impact on my performance. I'm not worried about it."

Hashimoto said he was feeling confident after practicing at the Olympic competition venue for the first time.

"I haven't been able to do all six apparatus events since I injured my finger," he said.

"So it was good that I was able to do all six today, even if I did make some mistakes."

S.Belanger--SMC