He has won the past four all-around world titles – a peerless record in the history of gymnastics, achieved in an era packed with talented rivals.
Last year, he won Olympic all-around gold.
But Uchimura does not simply win these titles. He destroys the field, every time, without appearing to particularly try.
“His talent is endless,” says Louis Smith, who won silver on the pommel horse for Great Britain at London 2012.
“He wins the all-around competition by two marks, doing routines that are easy for him. He’s got skills in the bag that no-one can do – and he doesn’t need to do them yet.
“When you’re in an all-around final with the top six in the world, to be two marks in front is incredible. He is one of a kind. Everyone can appreciate that, everyone looks up to him. He comes into the gym, everyone stops and looks.”
Getting half an hour with Uchimura is not easy. We arranged this interview weeks in advance of the competition.
He arrives unmistakably coiffed and diminutive at 5ft 3in, escorted by a coach. Filming begins: Uchimura, interviewer, interpreter, BBC cameraman, and the hovering quartet from Fuji TV.
Eighteen hours earlier, Uchimura won all-around world title number four. How was that, then?
“I was able to complete all six events without any major mistakes, and the results reflected that. I am not totally satisfied, but I do at least feel that I was able to do my job.”
Uchimura speaks softly. When he pauses to think – which is often – he does it with a Hollywood middle-distance gaze.
How can one man dominate a sport for four years?
