Innovators: Black U.S. Gymnasts With Skills Named After Them

It is a unique honor and feat when gymnasts get skills named after them. In order to achieve this, gymnasts must successfully complete a skill at a World Championships or an Olympic Games. Four Black U.S. gymnasts have skills named after them that are still included in the current FIG Code of Points. (Most recently, Simone Biles had a vault named after her.)

Betty Okino

– Uneven bars: clear underswing with 180 degree twist to back flip in stretched position

– Balance beam: triple turn on one leg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqN5o8qGxe4

Jair Lynch

– High bar: Tkatchev with a half turn prior to the catch to a mixed el-grip and swing back up to handstand

Simone Biles

– Floor exercise: Double layout half out

– Floor exercise: Triple-twisting double-tucked salto backwards (Biles II)

– Vault: Yurchenko half on with two twists

– Balance beam: Double-twisting double-tucked salto backwards dismount

– Vault: Double twisting piked Yurchenko

Donnell Whittenburg

– Still rings: Triple back pike dismount

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6nWhaMFU7g

We are proud to salute these gymnasts who added something new to the sport while at the top of their game!