Japan continues to top the Olympic medal tally in Paris, with gold medals in gymnastics and skateboarding keeping them in the lead for the second consecutive day.

In gymnastics, China led Japan until the final day of the men’s team all-around event, holding a 3-point lead with only three horizontal bar routines remaining. However, that was when the Chinese athletes made mistakes.

Japanese athletes (from left to right: Takaaki Sugino, Wataru Tanigawa, Kazuma Kaya, Shinnosuke Oka, and Daiki Hashimoto) celebrated winning the men’s team all-around gymnastics gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, France, on the evening of July 29. Photo: Reuters

First, 28-year-old Xiao Ruoteng landed on his knees and stumbled forward to regain his balance. Then, 24-year-old Su Weide, competing in his first Olympics, fell twice. Japan seized the opportunity to take the lead, finishing with a total score of 259.594 points, winning the gold medal by a margin of only 0.532 points over China.

Japan also faced setbacks, with reigning individual all-around champion Daiki Hashimoto falling early in the competition. However, when it was Hashimoto’s turn for the final routine, he delivered a flawless performance to secure the gold medal for Japan. “I almost cried before my last routine,” Hashimoto said. “Because I knew the whole team was cheering behind me.”

Hashimoto did cry after the routine as the team embraced and celebrated their dramatic victory. Along with Yuto Horigome’s second consecutive gold in men’s skateboarding, Japan ensured their place at the top of the medal tally for the second day, with six gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. Following them are four delegations with five gold medals each: France, China, Australia, and South Korea.