By Gymnastics is an energetic sport focusing on various physical activities that help enhance balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination, artistry, and endurance. The movements in gymnastics involve different muscle groups working together, including those in the arms, legs, shoulders, back, chest, and abdomen. Gymnastics originated from Greek-style exercises that used a plethora of unique equipment, such as rings and bars.
In this Blog, we’ll read about the top 10 best Gymnasts to ever walk on the face of the planet, who are listed based on their performance in the Olympics and world championships.
1. Larisa Latynina (Soviet Union)
Olympic Medals: 18 (9 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 14 (9 Gold)
In the 1950s and 1960s, when Gymnastics was not a popular sport, Larisa Latynina became the inspiration for all gymnasts. She set a record at that time, which still stands to this date, for the most Olympic medals by any athlete, 18 in total and nine golds. Latynina made the Soviet Union proud by securing gold for her team and always being consistent in competition.
2. Simone Biles (USA)
Olympics: 11 (7 Gold)
World Champion Medal: 30 (23 Gold)
Simone Biles is one of the best gymnasts in history. She faced many challenges at the start of her career, but she never lost confidence and is a perfect blend of power, difficulty, and consistency. She broke several records in the history of gymnastics, including winning 23 World Championship golds and four Olympic golds. Even after a mental health break, she proved she is still just as strong and determined.
3.Vitaly Scherbo (Unified Team/Belarus)
Olympic Medals: 10 (6 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 13 (4 Gold)
Vitaly Scherbo, one of the best gymnasts, performed remarkably in a single game at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, winning six gold medals. He competed with the integrated team as the Soviet Union was blacklisted from the game. Scherbo was famous for his versatility and dominance.
4. Nadia Comăneci (Romania)
Olympic Medals: 9 (5 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 4 (2 Gold)
Nadia Comaneci started her gymnastics career at 14 and also made history at the 1976 Montreal Olympics when she scored seven perfect 10s in those games, changing the perspective of the game and the score system in her teenage years. She was the best gymnast of her time, and she inspired millions to come. After some time, she also won 2 gold medals in the world championship and five gold medals in the Olympics.
5. Max Whitlock (Great Britain)
Olympic Medals: 5 (3 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 9 (3 Gold)
Max Whitelock was among the best gymnasts in Britain and a two-time Olympic champion on the pommel horse (an artistic gymnastics apparatus). His enthusiasm, spirit, and consistency made him a legend in his field. Whitelock played an important role in establishing British gymnastics in a successful position.
6. Aly Raisman (USA)
Olympic Medals: 6 (3 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 3 (1 Gold)
Aly Raisman has not won many medals or held many records like Biles or Latynina, but she is still one of the best Gymnasts ever. Raisman’s consistency and leadership qualities were important for Team USA, as she was a captain of the gold medal-winning team in 2012 and 2016. She also won three gold medals in the Olympics and one in the world championship.
7. Kohei Uchimura (Japan)
Olympic Medals: 3 (2 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 21 (10 Gold)
Kohei Uchimura, also known as “King Kohei,” is an artistic gymnast and one of the best Gymnasts ever. From 2009 to 2015, he won six World All-Around titles. His technical strategy, simplicity, and calm behaviour prevented him from losing the game. He also won two gold medals for his country in the Olympics and ten gold medals in the world championship. He retired at the age of 33.
8. Svetlana Khorkina (Russia)
Olympic Medals: 7 (2 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 20 (9 Gold)
Svetlana Khorkina is another one of the best Gymnasts. She made a record of winning nine gold medals in a world championship and two in the Olympics. She was popular for her height and properly balanced routine, and was also the first woman in artistic gymnastics. These skills helped her carve her own identity in the history of gymnastics
10. Shannon Miller (USA)
Olympic Medals: 7 (2 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 9 (5 Gold)
Miller is a popular American gymnast of the 1990s who made the U.S. rank on the global map of gymnastics by winning the World All-Around title in 1994. She also led the U.S. from a list of the Magnificent Seven to team gold at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. She won five gold medals in the world championship and two in the Olympics.
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11. Oksana Chusovitina( Uzbekistan)
Olympic Medals: 2 (1 Gold)
World Championship Medals: 11 (3 Gold)
Oksana Chusovitina is also among the best Gymnasts ever.. She has been in the sport for a long time, but has also given tough competition to other teams. As such, she has always inspired many athletes of all ages.
These are the 10 best gymnasts in the world who have never let down their country’s pride. They are also the biggest inspirations for newcomers, who can learn many things from their struggles, challenges, and consistency.
