The Scariest Gymnastics Skills Ever Seen
Gymnastics is known for its mental and physical demands, combining strength, flexibility, and a strong mindset. Let’s dive into some of the scariest gymnastics skills ever performed.
1. Back Full: Performed on the beam, the Back Full is a standing back tuck with a 360-degree twist. This skill requires immense precision, as a minor error can lead to a fall. Gabby Douglas showcased her strength and control with this skill, which was first completed by Alevtina Priyakina at the 1986 Junior Europeans.
2. Jurkowska-Kowalska: Named after Cartesina Jurkowska-Kowalska, this beam dismount involves a gainer salto layout with two full twists. The gymnast must launch themselves backward while traveling forward, making it both challenging and frightening. Jurkowska-Kowalska first performed this skill at the 2018 World Championships.
3. Amanar: Debuted by Simona Amanar at the 2000 Olympics, this vault features a round-off onto the springboard, a back handspring onto the table, and a double-twisting salto. It’s one of the most powerful and challenging vaults in gymnastics.
4. Biles: Named after Simone Biles, the Biles consists of a double salto layout with a half twist. This skill requires extraordinary core strength and precise technique to execute the blind landing, which Biles first landed at the 2013 World Championships.
5. Switch Ring Leap: A visually stunning but difficult skill on the beam, the Switch Ring Leap requires the gymnast to switch legs in the air and bend the back leg toward the head, resulting in a blind landing.
6. Syllabas: Introduced by Daniela Silivas at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, this floor skill features a tucked double back salto with two full twists. It remained the hardest floor routine skill for 25 years.
7. Morris II: This advanced skill involves a double salto with a double twist in a laid-out position. It’s one of the most complex skills on the floor and demands immense strength and precision.
8. Biles II: An even harder version of the Biles, this skill features a double back salto with three twists. It is currently the most challenging floor exercise skill.
9. The Cheng: This vault includes a round-off entry, half twist onto the table, and a front salto layout with one and a half twists. Its blind entry and complex execution make it one of the scariest vaults.
10. The Death: A high-risk bar skill where the gymnast releases from the bar, performs a back salto layout with one and a half twists, and re-catches the bar. It was first performed by Naziana Ristakiva in 1992.
11. Prado Nova: Known as one of the most dangerous skills, this vault involves three front tuck saltos. First performed by Elena Prado Nova in 1999, it remains one of the most feared maneuvers in gymnastics.
These skills highlight the extreme difficulty and risk in gymnastics. What do you think is the scariest gymnastics skill? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned for more gymnastics content!
