In 1952, Japanese gymnasts returned to the Olympic Games after World War II. Even though they were not the dominant team that today’s gymnastics fans know and (perhaps) love, they won four individual medals (two silver and two bronze medals) in Helsinki.
Below, you’ll find a portion of the chapter authored by Sasano Toshihiko for Japan’s Official Report on the Olympic Games. It includes the results from the trials before the Olympics, the selection procedures, and the team’s preparations before the Olympic Games. As you’ll see, the Japanese men had “exhaustive” pommel horse practice.
Enjoy the translation below, and check out those landing mats in the image from Helsinki. I wouldn’t want to land on those. Ouch.
