Daiki Hashimoto isn’t just chasing titles. He’s battling through the shadows to defend them. With three consecutive all-around crowns to his name and a legacy already unfolding at just 22 years old, the Japanese star has redefined what it means to push limits. But in a season where the body isn’t always as willing as the mind, Hashimoto’s biggest competition hasn’t just been the sport. It’s been his own health. After roaring into global fame as the youngest-ever men’s Olympic all-around champion in Tokyo, the gymnast once known as “Mr. Infinite Stamina” has returned to the floor with questions swirling around his form, fitness, and future.

At the recent NHK Trophy, Hashimoto found himself in a high-stakes showdown. Not only was he up against Japan’s reigning Olympic champion Oka Shinnosuke in a widely anticipated duel, but he was doing so after battling a mysterious illness that sidelined him for two weeks. The vibrant, untouchable force of Tokyo looked a little more human in Paris. Yet even in that vulnerability, one thing remained clear: Hashimoto is still swinging for greatness.

Despite his body fighting back with every step, Daiki Hashimoto still showed up and not just to participate. Down 1.5 points to Olympic all-around champion Oka Shinnosuke after the opening day at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, Hashimoto wasn’t just up against a rival; he was pushing through what most wouldn’t dare attempt. His coach, Saito Yoshihiro, revealed the full extent of the challenge.

“Hashimoto rang up a high fever on 3 May and continues to be ill with influenza-like symptoms,” Saito said. He even considered pulling his star gymnast out. But Hashimoto, driven by a burning desire to secure his spot on Japan’s World Championships team, refused to back down. With barely any training under his belt. He only returned to podium practice the day before the competition; Hashimoto still managed to remain in striking range.

Oka, who posted a 169.711 total after carrying over a strong score from last month’s All Japan All-Around Championships, seemed to have the upper hand. But Hashimoto has never been one to surrender to odds. This isn’t the first time the 22-year-old has faced adversity head-on. A year ago, he endured a similar bout of illness followed by a finger injury that affected his Olympic preparations.

Despite the setbacks, he helped Japan claim team gold, though he narrowly missed out on an individual medal. Now, the narrative isn’t just about the NHK Trophy title. It’s about whether Hashimoto, who once competed through a fractured back, can keep pushing through once again. Doctors originally believed it was the flu, but with symptoms lingering unusually long, Saito admitted, “It’s just been too long.”

The uncertainty surrounding his health only sharpens the spotlight on Hashimoto’s grit. For fans, it’s another reminder of why he remains a defining figure in the sport. Tokyo’s golden boy hasn’t lost his edge. He’s just proving, once again, that greatness is forged in the fire, not comfort.

Hashimoto’s unyielding pursuit of Olympic glory

Daiki Hashimoto etched his name into history at just 20 years old, becoming the youngest Olympic men’s all-around champion at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Despite battling a finger injury, he delivered electrifying performances on the floor, vault, and horizontal bar to clinch gold. Following his victory, Hashimoto proudly declared, “Our team is the best we ever had. We are stronger than our team that competed at the Rio Olympics.”

His strength and consistency continued to shine as he helped Japan secure silver in the team event, reinforcing his status as the heart of Japan’s gymnastics resurgence. But the road ahead hasn’t been without heartbreak. During a high-stakes all-around clash with China’s Zhang Boheng, Hashimoto’s dream of a podium finish slipped away literally when he lost balance on the pommel horse and tumbled from contention. The mistake dropped him to sixth place, and tears followed.

“There’s a chance to try again,” the 22-year-old said, visibly emotional. “I decided today that I’m going to look inside myself, take stock of these past three years during which I wasn’t able to improve at all, reset my feelings and work towards the next Olympics and my next goals.” His fall from the horizontal bar in Paris was equally uncharacteristic and cost him a spot in the final.

The physical toll of competition also became apparent, as Hashimoto admitted to feeling unusually heavy through the six apparatuses. An earlier injury to his right middle finger may have played a role. Still, he managed to qualify for the individual all-around final alongside Shinnosuke Oka, with Japan’s team securing a final berth with a total of 260.594 points, trailing only China.

Reflecting on his struggles, Hashimoto told Kyodo News, “I haven’t had a proper performance (in training) on the horizontal bar since coming to Paris… Finals are a one-off and I want to prepare to be able to give my maximum.” Though his stumbles surprised fans, the calm under pressure that once defined him continues to burn just beneath the surface, ready to rise again in 2025.