Gymnastics Career
Tomita made his debut in world championships competition at the 2002 World Championships. On this competition, he placed 4th in the event finals of still rings. The following year, he was a member of the Japanese men's team which won a bronze in the 2003 World Championships. He also won the bronze medal in the men's all-around in the same competition, establishing himself as one of Japan's top male gymnasts, with his star teammate, Naoya Tsukahara, ranking only 7th in the all-around.
Due to his beautiful, elegant, clean, and crisp gymnastics style, Tomita received the "Longines Prize for Elegance" on September 7, 2007 in Stuttgart, Germany, along with the United States' Shawn Johnson. The prize is given in recognition of athletes who demonstrate remarkable elegance in the course of an international competition at world level; the decision was unanimous. In addition to the trophy, designed by the Swiss artist Piero Travaglini, recipients also receive a wristwatch from the Longines Evidenza collection and a check for US$5,000.
Read more about this topic: Hiroyuki Tomita
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
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