From Hokkaido, aiming for Japan's pinnacle again.
Four athletes from Jun Sports Hokkaido will compete in the '65th NHK Cup Gymnastics.' These dual-career athletes balance sports and work, striving for the highest level in Japan and aiming for the world stage.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 14, 2026 at 07:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 22:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 22:40 (8 min after Collected)
Jun Sports Hokkaido (operated by Adore Co., Ltd. / Sapporo, Hokkaido), a gymnastics team that continues to challenge with a dual career, announces that four of its athletes will participate in the '65th NHK Cup Gymnastics' to be held from Thursday, May 14 to Sunday, May 17, 2026.
The athletes are 'dual-career' athletes who continue to compete while engaging in coaching at Jun Sports Club and community activities during the day.
They will challenge the pinnacle of Japanese gymnastics while balancing competition and work.
The four athletes participating this time each secured their spot in the NHK Cup through the All Japan Individual All-Around Gymnastics Championships.
From Hokkaido, they will take on this important competition, which also leads to the World Championships selection.
Participating Athletes
Shota Aoki (Individual All-Around)
After the All Japan Individual All-Around, he challenges the NHK Cup again in the individual all-around.
Armed with stable performance composition and comprehensive ability, he aims for the top level in Japan.
Shuto Nagasaki (Pommel Horse)
Last year's All Japan Event Championships pommel horse winner.
Furthermore, in this year's 80th All Japan Individual All-Around Gymnastics Championships, he placed second in the pommel horse event, increasing his presence as one of Japan's leading specialists.
In this NHK Cup, he aims for victory and a score equivalent to a 'top world ranking' to secure a spot on the Japanese national team.
From Hokkaido, towards world-standard performance.
Nagasaki's challenge is drawing attention.
Masamichi Nakagawa (Pommel Horse)
Aims for a top finish in the event with a high-difficulty routine.
He challenges Japan's top athletes with a performance that combines delicacy and power.
Ryuto Aoki (Vault)
Participates in the NHK Cup with powerful vaulting as his weapon.
He captivates the audience with dynamic performances that put everything into a single moment.
'Aiming to be the best in Japan while working.'
Jun Sports Hokkaido's athletes are not in an environment where they can solely focus on competition.
In the mornings, they practice themselves; in the afternoons, they instruct lessons at Jun Sports Club; and in the evenings, they coach and support junior athletes, all while continuing their own challenges as competitors.
'Continuing to compete' and 'working in society.'
Balancing both is by no means easy.
Nevertheless, they believe that their continuous challenge from Hokkaido itself sends a message to local children and next-generation athletes.
From Hokkaido, to the 'world.'
The NHK Cup is an important competition that leads to the Japanese national team and the world.
One performance, one landing, one success can change the future.
Jun Sports Hokkaido will continue to challenge from Hokkaido to the whole of Japan and the world.
Competition Overview
[Competition Name] 65th NHK Cup Gymnastics
[Dates] Thursday, May 14 - Sunday, May 17, 2026
[Venue] Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
[Organizer] Japan Gymnastics Association
[Official Competition Information] Japan Gymnastics Association Official Website (https://jpn-gym.or.jp/event/event-7762/)
About Jun Sports Hokkaido
Jun Sports Hokkaido is a gymnastics team based in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Under the concept of 'Challenging from the North,' they practice a new athlete model called dual career, challenging the top level in Japan.
In addition to competitive activities, they also contribute to the local community through junior development, regional sports promotion, and event activities.
[Official Website] Jun Sports Hokkaido Official HP (https://junsports.hokkaido.jp/)
The athletes are 'dual-career' athletes who continue to compete while engaging in coaching at Jun Sports Club and community activities during the day.
They will challenge the pinnacle of Japanese gymnastics while balancing competition and work.
The four athletes participating this time each secured their spot in the NHK Cup through the All Japan Individual All-Around Gymnastics Championships.
From Hokkaido, they will take on this important competition, which also leads to the World Championships selection.
Participating Athletes
Shota Aoki (Individual All-Around)
After the All Japan Individual All-Around, he challenges the NHK Cup again in the individual all-around.
Armed with stable performance composition and comprehensive ability, he aims for the top level in Japan.
Shuto Nagasaki (Pommel Horse)
Last year's All Japan Event Championships pommel horse winner.
Furthermore, in this year's 80th All Japan Individual All-Around Gymnastics Championships, he placed second in the pommel horse event, increasing his presence as one of Japan's leading specialists.
In this NHK Cup, he aims for victory and a score equivalent to a 'top world ranking' to secure a spot on the Japanese national team.
From Hokkaido, towards world-standard performance.
Nagasaki's challenge is drawing attention.
Masamichi Nakagawa (Pommel Horse)
Aims for a top finish in the event with a high-difficulty routine.
He challenges Japan's top athletes with a performance that combines delicacy and power.
Ryuto Aoki (Vault)
Participates in the NHK Cup with powerful vaulting as his weapon.
He captivates the audience with dynamic performances that put everything into a single moment.
'Aiming to be the best in Japan while working.'
Jun Sports Hokkaido's athletes are not in an environment where they can solely focus on competition.
In the mornings, they practice themselves; in the afternoons, they instruct lessons at Jun Sports Club; and in the evenings, they coach and support junior athletes, all while continuing their own challenges as competitors.
'Continuing to compete' and 'working in society.'
Balancing both is by no means easy.
Nevertheless, they believe that their continuous challenge from Hokkaido itself sends a message to local children and next-generation athletes.
From Hokkaido, to the 'world.'
The NHK Cup is an important competition that leads to the Japanese national team and the world.
One performance, one landing, one success can change the future.
Jun Sports Hokkaido will continue to challenge from Hokkaido to the whole of Japan and the world.
Competition Overview
[Competition Name] 65th NHK Cup Gymnastics
[Dates] Thursday, May 14 - Sunday, May 17, 2026
[Venue] Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium
[Organizer] Japan Gymnastics Association
[Official Competition Information] Japan Gymnastics Association Official Website (https://jpn-gym.or.jp/event/event-7762/)
About Jun Sports Hokkaido
Jun Sports Hokkaido is a gymnastics team based in Sapporo, Hokkaido.
Under the concept of 'Challenging from the North,' they practice a new athlete model called dual career, challenging the top level in Japan.
In addition to competitive activities, they also contribute to the local community through junior development, regional sports promotion, and event activities.
[Official Website] Jun Sports Hokkaido Official HP (https://junsports.hokkaido.jp/)