First gold medals goes to Japan

The qualifications are over, the teams that have qualified to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are now known. Now we get to the first medal opportunity! There is a different format in the team final. Unlike in qualifications, where four gymnasts from every team compete on each apparatus, and the lowest score is discarded, here only three gymnasts compete and all the scores count.

Defending world champions, the People’s Republic of China, had a rough qualification competition and ended up in eighth place, only just making it into the final. However, when the pressure was on to win a medal, the People's Republic of China showed what they had to offer and competed as real world champions. Collecting a total of 253.794 points points they can be really proud with the silver medal.

Last year’s silver medallists, Japan, and bronze medallists Great Britain were also in the race for the medals. In the middle of the competition both the countries scored just over 169 points. Talking about a thrilling final!

“Since 2019 we only ever won silver and bronze medals which we were disappointed about. We really wanted to win this gold medal, so we are very happy about it.” - Daiki HASHIMOTO (JPN) - Team gold medal

Germany, Italy and Canda had a bit of a struggle and made a few mistakes on the different apparatus. All teams excelled during the last rotation, with China finishing their competition on still rings first. They put in a tremendous effort with the best team score on this apparatus.

But there was one last routine to go - from none other than the Olympic champion Daiki Hashimoto of Japan. He did not disappoint - he nailed the landing of his flawless routine - was it enough to keep the lead? It was, and Japan took the title with 1.800 points ahead of The People’s Republic of China.

USA were thrilled to get on the medal podium this time, having finished fifth last year, while last year’s bronze medallists Great Britain finished just outside the medals in fourth place.

1. Japan - 255.594 points
2. People's Republic of China - 253.794 points
3. United States of America - 252.428 points
4. Great Britain - 249. 461 points
5. Switzerland - 244.426 points
6. Germany - 244.026 points
7. Canada - 243.028 points
8. Italy - 241.160 points

Tomorrow the top 8 women's team will compete for the medals.