If the pressure to lead Japan back to Olympic team glory at this summer's Rio Games is weighing heavily on Kohei Uchimura's muscular shoulders, the gymnastics superstar does well to hide it.
"I don't think of it as pressure," the record six-time all-around world champion told The Japan Times. "I don't think about what will happen if I make a mistake — I think about how the team will benefit if I'm successful.
"A lot of people wish me well and say to me: 'Bring home the gold medal.' I want to respond to those expectations and that makes me stronger. I only think in positive terms, and that's why I have become good at dealing with the pressure."