Tokyo 2020: 8 new gymnastics skills submitted at the Olympic Games

Five women and four men are looking to make history with eponymous skillls in Tokyo, including three U.S. gymnasts: Simone Biles, Jade Carey, and Brody Malone.

If completed successfully, the skills listed will be named after the respective gymnast in the Men’s or Women’s Code of Points.

While some athletes have already successfully completed their moves domestically, such as Simone Biles and the Yurchenko double pike, new skills have to be successfully executed at an official, FIG-sanctioned event to have it named after them.

1. Simone Biles – USA, Vault

Arguably the highlight of the entire gymnastics competition in Tokyo will be Biles historic new vaul: the Yurchenko double pike. The skill has provisionally been given the maximum difficulty score a female can reach on this event: a 6.6, although Biles previously spoke out saying it deserved to be a 6.8.

The move includes a round off, flic-flac on – piked double salto backward off.

2. Jade Carey – USA, Floor

Carey’s skill is the same as the Biles II, which is a triple-twisting double back, but she upgrades it to the laid-out position. If she successfully competes it, Carey’s move would merit its own difficulty category and become the highest valued individual skill in both the Men’s and Women’s Code of Points with a K value.

The move includes a Double Salto backward stretched with 3/1 twist.

Carey successfully performed the skill twice during podium training at the 2021 U.S. Championships in Fort Worth, Texas but hasn’t attempted it at a competition since.

3. Sanne Wevers – NED, Beam

One-half of the Netherlands’ twin duo, Sanne Wevers will be attempting a new beam turn, which is would have an element value of D.

This element is a 2 ½ turn (900°) on one leg, with the free leg optional below horizontal.

4. Lieke Wevers – NED, Floor

Sanne’s sister Lieke Wevers will be attempting a new floor turn element of her own, which merits an E value.

The skill is a 5/1 turn (1800°) on one leg, with the free leg optional below horizontal.

Lieke has submitted a second floor element as well: a 3/1 turn (1080°) with heel of free leg forward at horizontal throughout turn. This would also be valued as an E.

5. Ava Stewart – CAN, Bars

Canadian Ava Stewart brings an exciting uneven bars dismount to the Olympic Games that would garner an E value.

The dismount entails a swing backward to double Salto forward piked.

6. Malone and Edalli submit the same skill

Submitted by: Brody Malone – USA, Parallel Bars + Ludovico Edalli – ITA, Parallel Bars

The skill submitted by both of these athletes is the same parallel bars mount: a shoot up to handstand and fall back to support with a ¾ turn. The element earns an E value.

If both men do it successfully in the same phase of competition, the element will be named after both of them. If one does it successfully before the other, that individual gymnast will claim the name.

7. Ilia Kovtun – UKR, Parallel Bars

Kovtun will be attempting a parallel bars element as well. This element is a forward uprise with Stutz or Salto backward to handstand sideways on one rail. The element value is an F.

8. Samir Ait Said – FRA, Still Rings

Ait Said is the only man to bring a new skill to still rings in Tokyo. Awarded an E value, the element entails a slow backward roll with straight arms and body to handstand through swallow.