Best of 2016 AwardsDec 29, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
Best of 2016: Gymnastics Performances of the Year
Best of 2016: Gymnastics Performances of the Year
In this Olympic year, there was an unbelievable amount of stunning performances from athletes across the globe, but here are a few of the ones that stand out most.
In this Olympic year, there was an unbelievable amount of stunning performances from athletes across the globe, but here are a few of the ones that stand out most:
The 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy in March was Ragan Smith's senior debut, but she looked like a seasoned pro out on the competition floor. In the all-around competition, she showed off her new "Addams Family" floor routine and qualified for the event final, in which she scored a 14.65 (6.20/8.45) and earned the silver medal.
Team Japan came out on fire at the Rio Olympics, favored to win after taking gold at 2015 World Championships. China came in first in London 2012, so Japan had something to prove on the Olympic stage. The team -- consisting of Kohei Uchimura, Koji Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato, Yusuke Tanaka and Kenzo Shirai -- was solid across all six events, totaling a 274.094 for gold.
Biles went into Rio as the sport's golden girl and the one to watch, and she came out as the best gymnast of all time. In the all-around competition, Biles won by a stunning 2.1 points and went on to compete in three individual event finals. Vault and floor were slam dunk golds and bronze on beam was an impressive feat after a near fall in the middle. Biles is the fifth woman ever, and the first from the USA, to win four gymnastics golds at a single Olympics. Now that is one outstanding Olympic Games.
3. Ragan Smith debuting her new floor routine in Jesolo
The 2016 City of Jesolo Trophy in March was Ragan Smith's senior debut, but she looked like a seasoned pro out on the competition floor. In the all-around competition, she showed off her new "Addams Family" floor routine and qualified for the event final, in which she scored a 14.65 (6.20/8.45) and earned the silver medal.
2. Japan winning Olympic team gold
Team Japan came out on fire at the Rio Olympics, favored to win after taking gold at 2015 World Championships. China came in first in London 2012, so Japan had something to prove on the Olympic stage. The team -- consisting of Kohei Uchimura, Koji Yamamuro, Ryohei Kato, Yusuke Tanaka and Kenzo Shirai -- was solid across all six events, totaling a 274.094 for gold.
1. Simone Biles clinching four individual medals in Rio
Biles went into Rio as the sport's golden girl and the one to watch, and she came out as the best gymnast of all time. In the all-around competition, Biles won by a stunning 2.1 points and went on to compete in three individual event finals. Vault and floor were slam dunk golds and bronze on beam was an impressive feat after a near fall in the middle. Biles is the fifth woman ever, and the first from the USA, to win four gymnastics golds at a single Olympics. Now that is one outstanding Olympic Games.