Japan continued its strong start to the Paris Olympics on Monday when the men’s gymnastics team staged an impressive comeback to defeat China and claim one of two gold medals on the day.
Japan had the upper hand after a Chinese gymnast fell off the high bar twice. This is Japan’s first gold in the event since the 2016 Rio Games. China won the silver and the US took the bronze.
In skateboarding, Horigome Yuto defended his title in the men’s street event. The 25-year-old came from behind to snatch gold by posting the best score of the event, 97.08 points, on his final run. He beat out two skateboarders from the US to stand atop the podium.
In the men’s judo 73-kilogram class, Hashimoto Soichi took home the bronze. The 32-year-old is the oldest first-time Olympian in the history of Japan’s judo team.
Funakubo Haruka also won bronze in the women’s 57-kilogram class. She’s known for her stamina on the mats, and was able to overwhelm her opponent in extra time of the bronze medal match.
And in equestrian, Japan’s eventing team grabbed the bronze. It’s the country’s first equestrian medal in 92 years. Great Britain won gold and France took home the silver.
But there was disappointment in fencing where Emura Misaki crashed out early in women’s individual sabre. The two-time world champion and world number one was one of Japan’s opening ceremony flagbearers and widely tipped to win gold.