The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have already provided many memorable moments for the Japanese team. Including some remarkable performances and some disappointments. Here’s a detailed look at the key events and the results of the Japanese athletes so far.
Judo: A Tradition of Success and Disappointment
Success: Judo, a discipline where Japan traditionally excels, lived up to expectations with some great performances. Naohisa Takato won the gold medal in the -60kg category. This adds another page to his already impressive list of achievements. His flawless performance demonstrated once again Japan’s mastery of the sport.
Disappointment: However, one of the biggest disappointments came from Uta Abe. The judoka was one of the favorites in the women’s under 52 kg category. Uta Abe was disqualified after suffering an ippon. A big blow for the Japanese team that was counting on her for a gold medal. She ended up in tears in the arms of her coach but under the applause of the crowd present.
Gymnastics: Peaks and Falls
Success: In artistic gymnastics, Daiki Hashimoto shone by winning the gold medal in the men’s all-around competition. It is a remarkable feat that positions him as one of the best gymnasts of his generation. His ease and precision have made him a formidable competitor.
Disappointment: On the women’s side, Mai Murakami, while promising, finished off the podium in the individual all-around. It was a disappointment for someone who had medal prospects after her performances at the World Championships.
Swimming: A Mix of Success and Disappointment
Success: Rikako Ikee, after her inspiring return to competition following her battle with leukemia, won a silver medal in the women’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Her performance was hailed as one of the most inspiring stories of the Games.
Disappointment: On the other hand, Daiya Seto, a favorite in the individual swimming events, failed to reach the podium in the 200 and 400-meter medley. He finished fourth and fifth, respectively. These results were disappointing for a swimmer who was aiming for gold.
Athletics: A Mixed Participation
Success: In athletics, Yuki Koike surprised by qualifying for the 100 meters final. He finished in fifth position in this final. This is a notable feat in a discipline dominated by sprinters from the Caribbean and the United States.
Disappointment: However, the traditionally strong Japanese 4×100 meters relay team was eliminated in the semi-finals. In particular because of a bad handover, a huge disappointment for Japanese fans.
To be continued
To our great surprise, Japan is the most decorated country of the Olympic Games this Wednesday, July 31. They have, in total, 13 medals: 7 gold, 2 silver and 4 bronze. However, the Japanese team should not rest on its laurels for the rest of the Olympic Games. Indeed, the athletics events will multiply, a discipline that does not play in their favor. However, the Japanese team remains in the running for other events where medals are still possible. Eyes are turning to disciplines such as badminton, where Kento Momota is a serious contender. As well as table tennis with Tomokazu Harimoto. In athletics, hopes rest on Nozomi Tanaka in the middle-distance events. Finally, the karate competitions, a sport closely associated with Japanese culture, could also bring success
