PARIS, July 26 (AFP): Daiki Hashimoto believes Japan's "explosive" men's gymnastics team have the edge on a veteran Chinese side for Olympic gold but warned other countries could surprise.
Hashimoto, 22, opens his all-around title defence starting with men's qualifying on Saturday, with the team final on Monday. The individual all-around final takes place on Wednesday.
Reigning champions Russia are not competing, with Tokyo Games silver medallists Japan, the current world champions, favourites ahead of China, who took bronze three years ago.
Hashimoto will be joined by the experienced Kazuma Kaya and Wataru Tanigawa, as well as newcomers Shinnosuke Oka and Takaaki Sugino, as they try to claim the team title for Japan for an eighth time.
"China's strength lies in scoring well in events like the parallel bars and rings," Hashimoto told journalists at the Bercy Arena.
"Japan, however, has many consistent athletes and explosive performers. The selection process for the team was extremely competitive, perhaps the toughest in the world.
"This has been great for the team."
The two-time all-around world champion warned that Japan and China should be wary with the United States, Britain and Ukraine all in the running for the podium.
"It's not only Japanese and Chinese athletes who are competing. Other countries are here too," he said.
Hashimoto aims to match countryman Kohei Uchimura by retaining all-around gold, and keep it in Japanese hands for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Games.
Zhang Boheng beat Hashimoto to the world title in 2021, and will spearhead the Chinese challenge along with 2017 world champion Xiao Ruoteng.
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