We've all seen the top world gymnasts. Some are more famous than others. We've previously discussed Elfi Shlegal, Larisa Latynina (and Simone Biles). These women are exceptional. We also talked about the global impact they have had. These women's achievements are remarkable and have made a huge impact on the world's sport and culture.
Simone Biles
Simone Biles' dominance is hard to dispute. The 19 time world all-around champion now holds more world titles for female gymnasts than any other. Since the 1970s she's won more U.S. golds than any other gymnast. Currently, she has four eponymous skills, with a fifth likely to be added at the Tokyo Olympics.
Nadia Comaneci
Nadia Comaneci from Romania is an icon in the sport gymnastics. She was the first gymnast to score a perfect "10" at an Olympic competition in 1976. Technical limitations meant that the scoreboard only displayed one "1" rather than the expected "10". Comaneci achieved six more perfect 10s, and earned the title best gymnast of all time.
Larisa Latynina
Larisa Latynin in sport is a well-known face. She is an avid gymnast who actively participates with her country in its Olympic preparations. In Beijing, she was the torchbearer of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Elfi Schlegal
Elfi Schlal is one of Canada’s most successful gymnasts. She won a silver medal at the 1978 Commonwealth Games. Elfi, a graduate of the University of Utah was a member of the Canadian National Gymnastics Team until 1985. Later, Elfi covered the Olympic women’s gymnastics events at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Kyorkina was conceived in Belgorod on 19 January 1979. She was one of the top favorites for the 2004 Athens Olympics, qualifying for the all-around final and the bars final. Russia took the bronze medal in this team competition. She was a member of both the 1996 and 2000 Russian teams that were among the best contenders. The 2004 Russian team did not have the same talent.
Kohei Uchimura
Kohei Umimura is considered one of Japan’s greatest gymnasts. The Japanese gymnastics team failed to qualify for the Olympic games because Uchimura was the only veteran. He was last at his first competition but quickly established a training regimen and kept a detailed notebook of his techniques. By the age 17 he had made it to Tokyo to train. He was then chosen to represent Japan at the Olympics in Beijing. He won the all-around silver medal. He earned seven medals in total.