Japanese gymnasts, led by the “king” of individual competitions Daiki Hashimoto, became the world team champions among men in Antwerp (Belgium), beating the title holder China, reports AFP.

Japan dethroned China in the men’s team event at the World Gymnastics Championships

Last year’s silver medalist Japan (Kenta Chiba, Daiki Hashimoto, Kazuma Kaya, Kazuki Minami, Kaito Sugimoto) won gold with a total of 255.594 points, almost two points ahead of their Chinese competitors (Yang Liu, Weide Su, Wei). Sun, Chaopan Lin, Hao Yu), took second place (253,794 points).

The third step of the podium was occupied by representatives of the USA (Asher Hong, Paul Judah, Yul Moldauer, Frederick Richard, Koi Yang), having scored 252,428 points.

Japan, which had already dominated Sunday’s qualifiers, won the world team championship title for the most time in its history.

Daiki Hashimoto, the Olympic champion in the individual team and on the fixed bar two years ago in Tokyo, and his teammates managed to return to Japan the world crown, which he lost in 2015 in Glasgow, Scotland.

China, who qualified for the finals from eighth position, managed an impressive comeback in the medal race on Tuesday, but two falls from the fixed bar cost the defending champions dearly.

The bar was also the event that decided the battle for the bronze medals between the Americans and the British. The surprise came from Switzerland, which took fifth place after finishing last year’s World Cup in 20th place, reports Agerpres.

The competition in Antwerp continues on Wednesday with the women’s team final, where American Simone Biles, returning after a two-year absence, can add her 26th world medal to her record.

The final rating of team competitions among men of the WC-2023

1. Japan 255,594 points

2. China 253,794

3. United States 252,428

4. Great Britain 249,461

5. Switzerland 244,426

6. Germany 244,026

7. Canada 243,028

8. Italy 241,160