World Gymnastics Championships 2023: Japan defends all-around world title

Thursday was a big night for Japanese gymnast Daiki Hashimoto.

He successfully defended his men's all-around title at the World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, securing gold.

The Olympic champion bounced back after struggling in qualifying for the all-around final.

Only two competitors from each country can compete in the event and Hashimoto could have been left out, but his team opted to keep him over his teammate Kazuma Kaya, who had finished ahead of him in Sunday's qualifying round.

During the final, the athlete started out with an almost perfect floor routine but was frustrated after taking a big step forward on his final landing.

However, he managed to regain his composure, delivering a fantastic performance which earned him the top title for the second year in a row.

"I was a little nervous, but less than in qualifying," Hashimoto said.

"So I thought everything would be fine today, but I couldn't control myself as well.

"After (the floor), I told myself I had no choice but to do better."

Ukraine's Illia Kovtun won silver medal, while American gymnast Frederick Richard gained the bronze.

Great Britain didn't manage to win a spot on the podium, with James Hall finished ninth and Jake Jarman 13th.

"I'd lost my confidence a little from qualification for the team final and today I was a little bit shaky, but the back half picked up and now I'm top 10 in the world, so I will definitely take that," James Hall said.

The women's individual all-around final takes place on Friday.