TOKYO — Japan’s bid for gymnastics gold at the 2026 Asian Games has been thrown into uncertainty after injuries hit three members of its five-man men’s team just days before competition begins.
The host nation had been expected to be among the major forces in men’s gymnastics, boasting Olympic champions and world-class talent. But with the Asian Games approaching, Japan is now facing a race against time to determine whether its key athletes will be healthy enough to compete at full strength.
The biggest concern is Shinnosuke Oka, the three-time gold medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Oka won the Olympic all-around, team and horizontal-bar titles and is considered one of Japan’s most important medal hopes.
The 22-year-old suffered a lower-back injury last week and was unable to participate fully in Japan’s practice session and public trial on September 9.
Japanese reports said Oka experienced a different kind of pain after an injury sustained during a horizontal-bar routine. He underwent medical examination and said the problem had not progressed to a herniated disc, although he acknowledged that the injury had been serious enough to raise concern.
Oka has since reported improvement and remains determined to compete.
“I don’t want to give up on aiming for gold.”
He has indicated that he may need to scale back the difficulty of some routines, highlighting the delicate balance between chasing another major title and protecting his health.
Three of Japan’s Five Gymnasts Carry Injuries
Oka is not the only concern.
Tomoharu Tsunogai is dealing with a serious left-ankle injury, while Shoma Tsukiyama has also been affected by lower-back pain.
Japanese reports have described the situation as particularly difficult because three of the five selected members have health concerns heading into the competition.
Tsunogai’s ankle problem has reportedly affected his ability to land normally, forcing him to modify or avoid certain finishing movements during the team’s trial session.
Japan’s gymnastics leadership is therefore keeping its options open, including the possibility of changes involving reserve athletes before the final replacement deadline.
The Japan Gymnastics Association’s official roster lists Oka, Olympic champion Daiki Hashimoto, Tsunogai, Tsukiyama and Kiichi Kaneda as Japan’s men’s representatives for the Asian Games.
Japan’s Home Advantage Is Now Under Pressure
The timing could hardly be more significant.
The 20th Asian Games will take place in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4, with men’s gymnastics scheduled to begin on September 21 at Nippon Gaishi Hall.
For Japan, competing at home brings enormous expectations.
The team is anchored by stars such as Oka and Daiki Hashimoto, another Olympic champion who remains an important part of Japan’s medal campaign.
But the injury problems have created an unexpected question: can Japan field its strongest possible lineup when the medals are on the line?
Japan’s gymnastics officials are expected to monitor the athletes’ conditions closely before making a final decision on the competition lineup.
China Remains a Major Threat
Even without the injury concerns, Japan would face formidable competition.
China remains one of the dominant powers in Asian men’s gymnastics, meaning Japan’s path to team gold was never going to be easy.
That makes the health of Oka, Tsunogai and Tsukiyama even more important. A fully fit Japanese lineup would give the hosts a strong chance of challenging for the top of the podium, while a compromised team could open the door for its biggest rivals.
Hashimoto has also emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive team atmosphere, drawing on his own experience of dealing with injury around major international competitions.
The Clock Is Ticking
Japan now has only a matter of days to determine how much its injured gymnasts can safely perform.
Oka remains hopeful that he will be ready. Tsunogai wants to compete on home soil despite his ankle problem. Tsukiyama’s condition will also be closely watched.
For a team built around Olympic champions and medal contenders, the Asian Games campaign could therefore come down to something far less predictable than routines, difficulty scores and execution.
It could come down to who is healthy enough to take the floor.
And with the home crowd waiting in Nagoya, Japan’s biggest gymnastics question is no longer simply whether it can win gold.
It is whether its stars will be fit enough to fight for it.
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