Japanese Olympic Gymnast Kohei Uchimura Receives $4,954 Pokemon Go Bill

Many of us have forgotten to turn data roaming off on our mobile phones while away on holiday only to receive a shock bill at the end of the month. However, few have matched the error of Japanese Olympic gymnast Kohei Uchimura, whose desire to play Pokemon Go in Brazil ahead of the Summer Games has cost him a whopping a 500,000 yen ($4,954). 

That’s according to Kyodo News (h/t ESPN.co.uk), which has reported that using the application in Rio de Janeiro has cost the 27-year-old dearly.

“He looked dead at the team meal that day,” said his team-mate Kenzo Shirai, per the aforementioned piece. However, his carrier service has reportedly reduced the bill to a daily $30, prompting the gymnast to say, “I really lucked out.”

Uchimura will be hoping the unexpected cost doesn’t influence his focus ahead of the Rio Games. He’s the reigning Olympic champion in the men’s all-round competition and will be seeking to defend his title in Brazil.

Uchimura has been a dominant force in men’s gymnastics for a long time and is a record six-time world champion.