Missing college and Elite gymnastics on TV? Check out these must watch vaults. Take note on how the vaults progress and the apparatus itself changes with time. After you watch these amazing vaulters join in the fun of creating your own sidewalk chalk vault. Be sure to stick the landing!
1. Simone Biles - 2019 World Championships
Simone's Vault Accomplishments include:
- 2nd at the World Championship on vault in 2013 & 2014
- 3rd at the World Championships on vault in 2015
- Olympic Champion on vault in 2016
- World Champion on vault in 2018 & 2019
- Simone Biles has a vault named after her - the Yurchenko half-on entry, laid out salto forwards with 2 twists
2. McKayla Maroney -2012 Olympics
McKayla's Vault Accomplishments include:
- World Champion on vault in 2011 & 2013
- 2nd at the Olympics on vault in 2012
3. Alicia Sacramone - World Championships 2010
Alicia's Vault Accomplishments include:
- 3rd at the World Championships on vault in 2005 & 2007
- 2nd at the World Championships on vault in 2006
- World Champion on vault in 2010
4. Cheng Fei - World Championships 2007
Cheng Fei's Vault Accomplishments include:
- World Champion on vault in 2005, 2006 & 2007
- 3rd at the Olympics on vault in 2008
- Cheng Fei has a vault named after her - Yurchenko with ½ turn on – stretched salto forward with 1½ turn off
5. Oksana Chusovitina - World Championships 2003
Oksana's Vault Accomplishments include:
- 2nd at the World Championships on vault in 1991, 2001, 2005 & 2011
- 3rd at the World Championships on vault in 1992, 1993, 2002 & 2006
- World Champion on vault in 2003
- Olympic Champion on vault in 2008
- Oksana Chusovitina has two vaults named after her - Handspring forward onto table, piked salto forward with full twist off & Handspring forward onto table, straight salto forward with 1.5 twists off
6. Elena Zamolodchikova - 2000 Olympics
Elena's Vault Accomplishments include:
- World Champion on vault in 1999 & 2002
- Olympic Champion on vault in 2000
- 2nd at the World Championships on vault in 2003
- Elena Zamolodchikova has a vault named after her - Laid-out double-twisting Tsukahara
6. Simona Amanar - 2000 Olympics
Simona's Vault Accomplishments include:
- World Champion on vault in 1995 & 1997
- 2nd at the World Championships on vault in 1996 & 1999
- Olympic Champion on vault in 1996
- Simona Amanar has a vault named after her - round-off entry onto the vault, laid-out salto with 21⁄2 twists
7. Kerri Strug - 1996 Olympics
Kerri's Vault Accomplishments include:
- Kerri is known for her heroic vault landing in the 1996 Olympic team finals.
8. Mary Lou Retton - 1984 Olympics
Mary Lou's Vault Accomplishments include:
- 2nd at the Olympics on vault in 1984
- Mary Lou scored a perfect 10 on vault at the 1984 Olympics
9. Natalia Yurchenko - 1983 Olympics
Natalia's Vault Accomplishments include:
- Natalia Yurchenko has a vault named after her - a round-off onto the springboard, followed by a back handspring onto the table and a flip off the table
- The Yurchenko family is now one of the most common vaults
Try Your Own Vault!
Use your driveway to create your vault or dream vault. Can you do the Biles?
- Draw a springboard, vault, and landing mat with sidewalk chalk.
- Lie on the sidewalk in different positions to create the shapes of your vault
- Put all of the pictures together to make a routine video.
Be sure to share your vaults with Pinnacle on facebook, instagram, or twitter.
Hannah Thomas
Pinnacle Gymnastics
Program Director
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