Hashimoto Daiki looking to simulate Paris 2024 at NHK Trophy
Hashimoto Daiki hopes to springboard off the NHK Trophy to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 - to the top of the podium in the men’s all-around and team event, to be exact.
“I said this after the All-Japans but I’m really not thinking winning another title here,” Hashimoto said on the eve of the NHK Trophy starting on Thursday (16 May) at the Takasaki Arena in Gunma Prefecture.
“After the NHK Trophy, I won’t compete again until the Paris Olympics so the next two days have to be a dress rehearsal for the Games. I have to perform well and be confident going into Paris.
“It is the last meet and I need to see how much control I can exercise down to the last detail. It’s all about preparing for Paris.”
Hashimoto Daiki: 'I think the Japan team is so deep'
Hashimoto is the three-time defending champion of the NHK Trophy, the crown jewel of Japanese gymnastics and the final qualifier for the Games.
Since capturing his fourth successive All-Japan All-Around Championship last month, Hashimoto has been shaping up well although he battled a mysterious illness and was unable to train this past week. He will be looking to simulate the Paris competition calendar at the NHK.
“Starting from qualification, I have to compete every other day which is a grind of a schedule,” the 22-year-old said. “I have to be able to get into a rhythm but I don’t know what I’ll be assigned in the team event. I have to brace myself for the worst case scenario of competing on all six and I need to be consistent despite the schedule.
“On the second day of the All-Japans I laboured on the final two apparatus. At the NHK I need to last until the finish on the second day. If I manage, I think it’s a good sign that things are on track for Paris.”
Hashimoto has been given a free pass to Paris 2024 by virtue of his standing as the reigning Olympic and world men’s all-around champion, but all others must secure their quota this week. By Sunday, four men and five women will know if they will be at the Games this summer.
Whoever joins him, Hashimoto will be counting on them to be determined in their quest for the men’s team gold medal which they have not won since Athens 2004.
“Right now, I think the Japan team is so deep,” Hashimoto said. “But whoever is up for selection, I don’t want anyone settling for just making the team.
“I want them to aiming beyond that because I really want the team gold in Paris and think about what they need to do once they get there.”
*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.