Shohei Kawakami's successful world debut - Powered by Shinnosuke Oka's words - World Gymnastics

At the Gymnastics World Championships, first-time national representative Shohei Kawakami (Tokushukai) made an impressive debut. Sharing the same affiliation as Paris Olympics triple gold medalist Shinnosuke Oka, he was also born in the same year, 2003. Although usually close, he had previously only watched Oka's success from afar. With his eyes sparkling on the big stage, he spoke resolutely, saying, "I want to make an overwhelming contribution to the team."

In the men's preliminaries on the 17th, he immediately demonstrated his abilities. Entrusted with going first in all six apparatuses, he played a crucial role in setting the momentum with strong performances. He posted team-high scores on the vault and horizontal bar, and showcased handstand techniques on the parallel bars with his toes elegantly pointed. His landing on the dismount was also stuck perfectly. Daiki Hashimoto (Nihon Life / Central Sports) and Oka followed with equally flawless landings, with all three scoring in the high 14s.

What sustained him until he earned his long-cherished spot on the national team were words told to him by Oka: "You will definitely be needed at the LA Olympics. Shohei, you're the only one who has horizontal bar and vault skills that I don't." At last year's World Championships, he was an alternate. At the national team selection trials this spring, he produced results despite injuring the back of his left hand, and when his inclusion in the squad was announced, he covered his face and wept.

A graduate of the powerhouse Seifu High School in Osaka, expectations are high for him as an all-rounder following the double ace pair of Oka and Hashimoto. Looking ahead to the team all-around final on the 20th, which offers qualification spots for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he said, "I hope we can do this as one united team." Bearing the Japanese flag alongside his teammates, he intends to achieve their goal. (Jiji Press in Rotterdam)