Back-to-back world champion Japan missed out on its third straight women's team trampoline title Friday, finishing third behind China and Britain in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Japan, the winner in 2019 and 2021 in the non-Olympic team event, overcame an error from Risa Kiryu to salvage a podium finish as Hikaru Mori and Megu Uyama both came close to scoring 56 points.
"There's a big difference whether we get a medal or not. It was great just to get one," said a relieved Uyama.
Mori was confident of her team challenging China, which had all three of its performers scoring 56-plus, in the near future.
"With the level Japan is at currently, we can aim much higher," Mori said.
Japan finished fifth in the men's team event after one of its three members, Ryusei Nishioka, could not perform due to a left knee injury. Portugal won for the first time.
