Rhythmic gymnastics
Rhythmic gymnastics (short: RG) is a type of gymnastics. Rhythmic gymnasts perform on a floor with an apparatus, accompanied by music, in individual or group events. Gymnasts manipulate one or two apparatus: rope, hoop, ball, clubs, and ribbon. Rhythmic gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of gymnastics, dance, and apparatus manipulation. The victor is the participant who earns the most points, determined by a panel of judges, for leaps, balances, pirouettes, flexibility, apparatus handling, execution, and artistic effect.[1][2]
Rhythmic gymnastics developed from other sports. It is influenced by group gymnastics, classical ballet, German apparatus work, and the Swedish free exercise method.[3]
International competitions are split between juniors, under sixteen by their year of birth; and seniors, for women sixteen and over again by their year of birth. The largest events in the sport are the Olympic Games, World Championships, and World Cups.[1]
Rhythmic gymnastics was officially recognized by FIG in 1963. The first time rhythmic gymnastics was in the Olympics was in 1984 in Los Angeles. That year, a Canadian gymnast called Lori Fung won the individual competition. In 1996, rhythmic gymnastics group competitions were added to the Olympics.[3]
Rope
The length of the rope depends on how tall the gymnast using it is. They swing the rope, throw and catch the rope, make figure-eights, and more. They also leap and jump through the rope while they are holding it.
Hoop
The hoop is made of wood. Gymnasts toss it and catch it, spin it, swing it, and roll it in many different ways.
Ball
Balls used in rhythmic gymnastics are made with rubber or soft plastic. Gymnasts throw balls and catch them, bounce and roll them, balance the ball on their hand, and do waves and circles.
Clubs
The clubs are another piece of equipment that rhythmic gymnasts use. The clubs look similar to bowling pins or bottles. They are made of wood or plastic. Gymnasts use the clubs to do circles, throws, swings, plus tapping.
Group
The group routine is a little bit different. It’s not a piece of equipment; it’s just a different kind of routine. In the group event, five rhythmic gymnasts will do a routine together. The gymnasts have to work together to make the routine work. In a group routine, gymnasts will exchange whatever equipment they are using with each other.
Rhythmic Gymnastics Media
Group rhythmic gymnasts from Greece in Sydney 2000
(L–R) Alina Kabaeva (bronze), Yulia Barsukova (gold) and Yulia Raskina (silver) at 2000 Sydney Olympics
Rhythmic gymnastic toe shoes
Sculpture of Ana Bautista by Fernando Garcíarramos in San Cristóbal de La Laguna
Mónica Ferrández with a rope
La gimnasta española Marta Bobo en el Campeonato Europeo de Gimnasia Rítmica de 1984 en Viena.
Margarita Mamun with a ball
Arancha Marty
Viktoria Stadnik with a ribbon
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique". www.gymnastics.sport.
- ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-08-15. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Rhythmic Gymnastics Equipment and History - Olympic Sport History". International Olympic Committee. 15 May 2018.
- Rhythmic Gymnastics. Plymouth State University, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
- Rhythmic Gymnastics. Archived 2013-06-18 at the Wayback Machine USA Gymnastics, n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2012.
- Rhythmic Gymnastics Equipment and History. Olympic.org, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2012.
Other websites
- Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (in English and French)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (in English and German)
- The Art of Gymnastics - The Israeli site of Rhythmic Gymnastics Archived 2009-09-23 at the Wayback Machine (in English)
- Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics
- More on rhythmic gymnastics Archived 2009-02-13 at the Wayback Machine