Profile

Started gymnastics at the age of 7 and won the individual all-around championship at the National Junior High School Championships. Placed 2nd in the individual all-around at the Inter-High School Championships during his Seifu High School days. Advanced to Juntendo University, placing 2nd in the individual all-around at the All-Japan Student Championships in 1997 and winning the individual all-around at the 1998 NHK Cup. In 1999, he won the individual all-around title at the All-Japan Student Championships and the horizontal bar title at the All-Japan Championships.

Unexpectedly failed to qualify for the Sydney Olympics. Overcame this disappointment and led the Japanese men’s gymnastics team as captain at the 2004 Athens Olympics, winning the gold medal in the team event for the first time in 28 years. Also delivered a brilliant performance in the horizontal bar event, winning the bronze medal. His performance at the 2008 NHK Cup, after overcoming repeated surgeries following the Athens Olympics, moved all who watched it.

Although he narrowly missed out on a place in the Beijing Olympics, he started working as a mental trainer in 2009, drawing on his experience as a gold medalist. In 2012, he founded his own gymnastics club, Isao Yoneda Gymnastics Club. In the same year, he published his first book, “Breaking Down Invisible Walls” (Kobunsha). He also works as a commentator, providing commentary for the World Gymnastics Championships and the All-Japan Championships.

Served as an official commentator at the 2012 London Olympics, providing commentary on the success of Japanese gymnastics.
Since January 2013, he has been working as the coach of the Tokushukai Gymnastics Club, aiming to regain the gold medal for Japanese gymnastics.

Main achievements

1998

NHK Cup World Cup 3rd place on floor exercise>

1999

All-Japan Student Championships NHK Cup 3rd place individually> All-Japan Championships horizontal bar>

2002

World Championships by event 5th place on horizontal bar>

2003

All-Japan Championships , Individual Winner, Floor Exercise Winner>

2004

NHK Cup National Corporate Championships , Individual Winner> All-Japan Championships , 3rd place individually, Winner on horizontal bar> Athens Olympics , 11th place individually, 3rd place on horizontal bar> World Cup 2nd place on floor exercise, 2nd place on horizontal bar>

2007

National Corporate Championships 5th place in individual all-around>

2008

NHK Cup 8th place in individual all-around
Retired from active competition