Hobbies
Playing the piano. (ecp.org.br, 05 Jun 2019)
Occupation
Armed Forces Athlete
Education
Physical Education - Paulista University, Sao Paulo, BRA
Spoken languages
English, Portuguese
Club
Esporte Clube Pinheiros [Sao Paulo, BRA]
Coach
Cristiano Albino [club, national], BRA
Injuries
He broke his nose in November 2021 after falling during a training session. (ge.globo.com, 29 Nov 2021)
He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder in May 2020 after suffering recurring pain for a year previously. (olimpiadatododia.com.br, 22 May 2020)
In 2019 he was diagnosed with chondromalacia in his left knee, a condition where the cartilage deteriorates, softens and causes pain. The condition does not have a cure and has to be treated with ice after each training session. The injury did not prevent him from competing at the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, and the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. (gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br, 03 Jan 2020; uol.com.br, 28 Jul 2019)
He underwent surgery on his right shoulder in November 2016. Although he started full training again in April 2017, the injury recurred and he required a further operation in November 2017. (globoesporte.globo.com, 23 Nov 2017, 10 Nov 2016)
He underwent foot surgery in late 2016. (rededoesporte.gov.br, 11 Apr 2019; ecp.org.br, 05 Jun 2019)
He underwent knee surgery in February 2015 on an injury sustained while training with the Brazilian national team. (globoesporte.globo.com, 12 Feb 2015)
In 2013 he suffered from microfractures and tendinitis in his right shoulder. He was sidelined for two months. (globoesporte.globo.com, 17 Jun 2013)
Early in his career, a ring strap snapped off and hit his right eye. He had to undergo surgery to avoid losing sight in the eye. (globoesporte.globo.com, 17 Jun 2013)
Start sporting career
He took up gymnastics at age 11. (ecp.org.br, 05 Jun 2019)
Reason for taking up the sport
His father, a former judoka, enrolled him in judo lessons at age six. He then discovered gymnastics after he saw some training sessions at the centre where he practised judo. At age 11 he was spotted by a coach from the Pinheiros club in Sao Paulo, Brazil, who invited him to try out. Three years later he began focusing exclusively on gymnastics. "Judo became more of an obligation. A change was needed. My father insisted I should stay in judo. He thought [gymnastics] would be only a hobby." (ecp.org.br, 05 Jun 2019; eusoutimebrasil.com.br, 01 Jan 2018; esportes.estadao.com.br, 28 Sep 2013)
Ambitions
To win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. (olympics.com, 01 Jun 2022)
Most memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold on horizontal bar at the 2019 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. (globoesporte.globo.com, 04 Jan 2020)
Hero / Idol
German artistic gymnast Fabian Hambuechen, Japanese artistic gymnast Kohei Uchimura, US artistic gymnast Danell Leyva. (gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br, 03 Jan 2020)
Rituals
He has motivational stickers placed around his house. "It's always the first thing I see after waking up." (gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br, 03 Jan 2020)
Philosophy / Motto
"The more you sweat in training, the less you'll bleed in battle." (cob.org.br, 01 Nov 2014)
Awards
In 2019 he received the Brazil Olympic Award for Best Athlete of the Year from the Brazilian Olympic Committee. (istoe.com.br, 10 Dec 2019)
Additional information
General
LATE STARTER
He took up the sport at the relatively late age of 11, and struggled at his first competition in Brazil. "I wasn't even going to participate, but they decided to put me in because I was already doing everything that other boys my age did. I was still very immature, it was all very new. It was difficult, I messed up and cried in the middle of the competition. I didn't finish last but I was right there at the bottom of the list." (ecp.org.br, 05 Jun 2019)
HERITAGE
He has Japanese heritage on the maternal side of his family. His grandfather Noryassu Oyakawa arrived in Brazil from Japan in 1912. (olympics.com, 04 Jun 2021)
Last update : 2022-10-07
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