Rio de Janeiro: ‘King Kohei’ Uchimura had just won team gold but the Japanese gymnastics star was already plotting the title-defence at his home Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
The 27-year-old looked more exhausted than elated as he walked off the floor after sealing Japan’s first Olympic team gold since 2004, and completing his own vast collection of titles.
Japan finally took gold after winning silver in 2008 and 2012 behind China.
But the athlete known for his iron discipline and robotic control which has already given him Olympic all-around gold and 19 world medals — including 10 in gold — has more in the tank.
His all-around title defence takes place on Wednesday and floor final are yet to come in Rio where he could increase his Olympic medals tally to eight.
And there is also Tokyo 2020 to think about.
“The next Olympics is in 2020 in Tokyo so I firmly believe that we can win again,” said the six-time world all-around champion.
In addition, the athlete from Isahaya also wants to boost gymnastics in his native country. “By winning team gold I hope that people will know not just me and Kenzo [Shirai] but the others too,” he said of teammates Koji Yamamuro, Yuzuke Tanaka and Ryohei Kato.
“Kato is strong mentally and never gives up,” he began by outlining the qualities of his teammates.
“Kenzo is known as ‘Mr Twist’ as he just twists and twists and twists,” he continued of the reigning world champion on floor.
“Tanaka has the most precise and beautiful routines of all of us. Yamamuro is good at lifting our spirits and is very supportive to our team.”
Uchimura put Japan on track by leading off the pommel horse as they competed alongside Russia, despite Yamamuro falling off the apparatus.
The Japanese pulled ahead after four rotations to take a 0.208 lead on Russian going into their final rotation which Uchimura sealed with a solid if unspectacular routine.
Russia took silver with China having to settle for bronze as they did at worlds last October. “It was tough. We were close to taking gold and I didn’t have to think about it,” said Uchimura.
“I just wanted to maintain my stamina. My first emotion was just exhaustion.
“I wanted to win gold. The Olympic Games only comes every four years and you have to maintain good condition to win a medal.
“You really have to work on yourself to become number one.”
Japan’s 37-year wait for world team gold laid the groundwork for Monday night’s success in the Rio Olympic Arena. “I firmly believe that if we hadn’t won team gold in Glasgow we wouldn’t have won this gold today,” said Uchimura.
“It’s part psychological, but in order for us to get closer to gold it was important to give good impression on the judges in Glasgow. By making a good impression maybe we could get extra points. It’s important to create this flow.”