Which are the most difficult skills in Men’s Gymnastics?
The most difficult skills in men’s gymnastics can add up to a full point to the scores of the athletes’ routines. They range from H on Parallel Bars and Pommel Horse, to J on Floor.
Since elements are periodically re-evaluated, their value is never fixed. So the origins of these skills require some examination: what factors have influenced their ratings over time, who executed these skills, and at what point did the Code determine that their value should be adjusted, either upward or downward?
Did you know that the Liukin on floor (triple back tuck) has undergone seven upgrades since its introduction in the MAG Code of Points in 1985?
Their complexity means they’re rarely seen in competition, which explains both the anticipation, and the fact that most remain more theoretical than routine.
Most difficult skills in men’s gymnastics
Most difficult skills in men’s gymnastics
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The dates signify either the initial appearance of the element in a FIG International Competition or its inclusion in the Code of Points. Certain skills, especially those performed prior to the 2000s, were included retroactively. Some were incorporated into the Code prior to being named after a gymnast. When multiple dates are cited, their specific references are clearly indicated. In certain instances, there may be a gap between the date of the competition during which the element was executed and its subsequent incorporation into the Code of Points.
1. Floor Exercise
HARDEST SKILLS (RATED J)
FLOOR EXERCISE
Name: The “Nagornyy”
Description: Triple salto backward piked
Rate: J (= 1 point)
Code: EGIII-24
Performed by: Nikita Nagornyy (RUS)
Date: 2021 European Championships
Evolution of the rate: I => J (2025)
FLOOR EXERCISE
Name: The “Jarman”
Description: Double salto backward layout with 3.2 twist
Rate: J (= 1 point)
Code: EGIII-72
Performed by: Jake Jarman (GBR)
Date: 2023 Paris Challenge Cup
Evolution of the rate: I => J (2025)
OTHER HARDEST SKILLS (RATED I)
FLOOR EXERCISE
Name: The “Liukin”
Description: Triple salto backward tuck
Rate: I (= 0.9 point)
Code: EGIII-18
Performed by: Valeri Liukin (URS)
1st time in COP: 1982
1st time performed by the gymnast: 1987 European Championships
Named after the gymnast: 1989
Evolution of the rate: CC => D (1985) => E (1993) => Super E (2001) => F (2006) => G (2009) => H (2017) => I (2025)
FLOOR EXERCISE
Name: The “Shirai III”
Description: Double salto backward with 3/1 twist
Rate: I (= 0.9 point)
Code: EGIII-66
Performed by: Kenzo Shirai (JPN)
Date: 2015 Toyota International Cup
Evolution of the rate: H => I (2025)
2. Pommel Horse
HARDEST SKILLS (RATED G/H)
The Code of Points in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics indicates the possibility of combining specific elements on a single pommel. Such combinations enhance the value of the elements, resulting in the highest-rated skill on the pommel horse being classified as H.
POMMEL HORSE
Name: Combination Bertoncelj + Russians
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Performed by: Patrick Hoopes (USA)
POMMEL HORSE
Name: Combination Russians+Flop
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Performed by: Rhys McClenaghan (IRL)
These combined sequences are rated on a scale from D to G, determined by the difficulty of the elements involved. Beyond these combinations, the hardest skills executed on the Pommel Horse are F.
OTHER HARDEST SKILLS (RATED F)
POMMEL HORSE
Name: The “Kheika I”
Description: Any 1/1 spindle with both pommels between the hands (flairs or circles)
Rate: F (= 0.6 point)
Code: EGII-30a
Performed by: Saeedreza Kheika (IRI)
1st time in the COP: 2001
1st time performed by the gymnast: 2017
Evolution of the rate: E => F (2013)
POMMEL HORSE
Name: The “Kheika V”
Description: Any 1/1 spindle with both pommels between the hands (flairs or circles)
Rate: F (= 0.6 point)
Code: EGIII-30b
Performed by: Saeedreza Kheika (IRI)
Date: 2018
POMMEL HORSE
Description: Cross support 1/1 spindle with hands between the pommels – max 2 circles
Rate: F (= 0.6 point)
Code: EGII-36
POMMEL HORSE
Name: The “Busnari”
Description: Reverse Stöckli, DSA or pommel circle straddle through handstand, 3/3 travel (fwd/bwd), 360° turn to flair
Rate: F (= 0.6 point)
Code: EGIII-54
Performed by: Alberto Busnari (ITA)
1st time performed by the gymnast: 2009
Inclusion in the COP: 2013
Evolution of the rate: G => F (2017)
3. Rings
HARDEST SKILLS (RATED I)
STILL RINGS
Name: The “Whittenburg”
Description: Triple salto backward piked dismount
Rate: I (= 0.9 point)
Code: EGIV-42
Performed by: Donnell Whittenburg (USA)
1st time in COP: 1997
Performed by the gymnast: 2017 Koper Challenge Cup
Evolution of the rate: H => I (2025)
OTHER HARD SKILLS (RATED G)
There are no H-rated elements on Rings
STILL RINGS
Name: The “Tulloch II”
Description: From hang vertical, pull up, slowly with straight arms through cross to inverted swallow
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGII-66
Performed by: Courtney Tulloch (GBR)
Year: 2018 European Championships
Evolution of the rate: F => G (2025)
STILL RINGS
Name: The “Carmona”
Description: Through hang rearways press and straight body to inverted cross (2″)
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIII-90
Performed by: Regulo Carmona (VEN)
Year: 2013
Evolution of the rate: F => G (2025)
STILL RINGS
Name: The “Balandin II”
Description: From hang vertical pull up to inverted cross (2″)
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGII-138
Performed by: Aleksandr Balandin (RUS)
Year: 2009
Evolution of the rate: E => F (2017) => G (2025)
STILL RINGS
Description: Triple salto backward tucked dismount
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIV-36
4. Vault
HIGHEST START VALUE (5.6)
VAULT
Name: The “Yang Hak-Seon”
Description: Handspring and salto forward layout with 3/1 t.
Start Value: 5.6
Code: EGI-118
Performed by: Yang Hak-Seon (KOR)
1st time performed by the gymnast: 2010
Included in the COP: 2012
VAULT
Name: The “Yonekura”
Description: Tsukahara layout with 7/2 twist
Start Value: 5.6
Code: EGI-133
Performed by: Hidenobu Yonekura (JPN)
1st time in COP: 2013
Named after the gymnast: 2019
VAULT
Name: The “Ri Se-gwang I”
Description: Double Tsukahara with 1/1 twist
Start Value: 5.6
Code: EGIII-321
Performed by: Ri Se-Gwang (PRK)
Year: 2009
VAULT
Name: The “Ri Se-gwang II”
Description: Dragulescu piked
Start Value: 5.6
Code: EGII-232
Performed by: Ri Se-gwang (PRK)
Year: 2009
VAULT
Name: The “Shirai II”
Description: Yurchenko layout with 7/2 twist
Start Value: 5.6
Code: EGIV-409
Performed by: Shirai Kenzo (JPN)
Year: 2016
5. Parallel Bars
HARDEST SKILLS (RATED H)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Quintero”
Description: “Belle” with 1/1 turn
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGIII-66
Performed by: Giovanni Quintero (COL)
Year: 2003
Evolution of the rate: Super E => F (2006) => G (2013) => H (2025)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Esparza”
Description: Giant swing backward with ½ t. and 3/2 salto forward piked to upper arm hang
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGIII-78
Performed by: Orlando Esparza (MEX)
Competition: 2018 Paris World Challenge Cup
Evolution of the rate: G => H (2025)
OTHER HARDEST SKILLS (RATED G)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Tsolakidis I”
Description: Forward uprise to Makuts to support
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGI-12
Performed by: Vasileios Tsolakidis (GRE)
Year: 2001
Evolution of the rate: F => G (2013)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Li Xiaopeng”
Description: Roll backward with salto backward pike to upper arm hang
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGI-30
Performed by: Li Xiaopeng (CHN)
Year: 2003
Evolution of the rate: Super E => F (2006) => G (2025)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Kuavita”
Description: Double salto backwards with a half turn to upper arm forward piked to upper arm hang
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGII-54
Performed by: Noah Kuavita (BEL)
Competition: 2021 World Championships
Evolution of the rate: F => G (2025)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Tanaka”
Description: Giant swing backward with 1/2 t. and 3/2 salto fwd to upper arm hang
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIII-72
Performed by: Kazuhito Tanaka (JPN)
Year: 1997
Evolution of the rate: Super E => E (2001) => F (2006) => G (2025)
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Zhou Shixiong”
Description: Felge with 5/4 t. to handstand
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIII-114
Performed by: Zhou Shixiong (CHN)
Competition: 2013
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Yamamuro”
Description: Felge through handstand to Makuts
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIII-120
Performed by: Koji Yamamuro (JPN)
Year: 2016
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Larduet”
Description: Double salto fwd. tucked with 1/1 t.
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIV-6
Performed by: Manrique Larduet (CUB)
Competition: 2016 Osijek World Cup
Included in COP: 2017
PARALLEL BARS
Name: The “Hiroyuki Kato”
Description: Double salto backward tuck with 1/1 t.
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIV-36
Performed by: Hiroyuki Kato (JPN)
1st time in the COP: 1985
Named after the gymnast: 2009
Evolution of the rate: D => E (1993) => Super E (1997) => F (2006) => G (2013)
PARALLEL BARS
Description: From hang on end, triple salto backward tuck
Rate: G (= 0.7 point)
Code: EGIV-48
Performed by: Camilo Vera (COL)
6. High Bar
HARDEST SKILLS (RATED I)
HIGH BAR
Name: The “Miyachi”
Description: Kovacs straight with 2/1 turn
Rate: I (= 0.9 point)
Code: EGII-102
Performed by: Hidetaka Miyachi (JPN)
Year: 2017 World Championships
OTHER HARDEST SKILLS (RATED H)
HIGH BAR
Name: The “Suarez”
Description: Piatti straight with 1/1 turn
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGII-36
Performed by: Casimiro Suarez (CUB)
Year: 1997 (named retroactively)
Evolution of the rate: Super E => F (2006) => G (2017) => H (2025)
HIGH BAR
Name: Unofficially the “Crockett”
Description: Salto forward straight with 2/1 t. also from el grip (Double twisting Jaeger)
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGII-48
Performed by: Jeff Crockett (USA)
Year: this element wasn’t performed by Jeff Crockett in an FIG international competition, so it wasn’t named after him – yet it’s known in the gymnastics community as the “Crockett”
HIGH BAR
Name: The “Koudinov”
Description: Gaylord with 1/1 t.
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGII-72
Performed by: Mikhail Koudinov (NZL)
Competition: 2017 World Championships
Evolution of the rate: G => H (2025)
HIGH BAR
Name: The “Maras”
Description: Pegan piked
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGII-84
Performed by: Vlasios Maras (GRE)
1st time in the COP: 2006
1st time performed by the gymnast: 2006
Named after the gymnast: 2014
Evolution of the rate: E => F (2009) => G (2017) => H (2025)
HIGH BAR
Name: The “Bretschneider”
Description: Kovacs with 2/1 t.
Rate: H (= 0.8 point)
Code: EGII-90
Performed by: Andreas Bretschneider (GER)
Date: 2015
7. Understanding how skills are rated
In the current scoring system, all existing elements in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics are listed in the Table of Elements of the Code of Points and are allocated a difficulty rating ranging from 0.1 to 1 point (except Vault):
The rates of elements in men’s gymnastics are continually evolving, with the regular introduction of new skills in the Code of Points established by the FIG. As of 2025, the two most difficult skills in Men’s Gymnastics are on Floor: the Nagornyy and the Jarman, both rated J, which means they are worth at a full point.
Each vault is assigned a difficulty value ranging from 1.2 to 5.6.
Elements are frequently re-evaluated. Skills listed in the Code of Points may have their difficulty ratings upgraded or downgraded after evaluation by the FIG Technical Committee. In addition, some of the most difficult skills in men’s gymnastics that are considered as too dangerous may be banned. The Technical Committee may also give specific hazardous skills artificially low difficulty ratings to deter gymnasts from trying to compete them.
8. Number of elements in the 2025-2028 MAG Code of Points
There are 750 elements (+ their slight variations) in the current Code of Points, rated from A to J, ranging from 81 (Vault) to 180 (Parallel Bars).
most difficult skills in men’s gymnastics
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Most Difficult Skills in Men’s Gymnastics
More:
MAG Code of Points 2025-2028: Review & Analysis
FIG’s 2025-2028 Men’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points
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