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Rings (gymnastics)
Encyclopedia
Flying Rings
Flying rings was a gymnastic event similar to still rings, but with the performer gripping a pair of rings, approximately shoulder width apart, and swinging - from the point of suspension of the rings - while executing a series of stunts.-Apparatus:...
), is an artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics
Artistic gymnastics is a discipline of gymnastics where gymnasts perform short routines on different apparatus, with less time for vaulting . The sport is governed by the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique , which designs the Code of Points and regulates all aspects of international elite...
apparatus and the event that uses it. It is traditionally used only by male
Male
Male refers to the biological sex of an organism, or part of an organism, which produces small mobile gametes, called spermatozoa. Each spermatozoon can fuse with a larger female gamete or ovum, in the process of fertilization...
gymnast
Gymnast
Gymnasts are people who participate in the sports of either artistic gymnastics, trampolining, or rhythmic gymnastics.See gymnasium for the origin of the word gymnast from gymnastikos.-Female artistic:Australia...
s, due to its extreme upper-body strength requirements. Gymnasts typically wear ring grips
Grip (gymnastics)
Grips are devices that are worn on the hands of artistic gymnasts when performing on various gymnastics apparatus. They are worn by female gymnasts on the uneven bars, and by male gymnasts on the high bar, still rings and parallel bars...
while performing on the rings.
The apparatus
The apparatus consists of two rings that hang freely from a rigid metal frame. Each ring is supported by a strap, which in turn connects to a steel cable that is suspended from the metal frame. The gymnast, who grips one ring with each hand, must control the movement of the rings.Dimensions
The measurements of the standard apparatus are specified by Fédération Internationale de GymnastiqueFédération Internationale de Gymnastique
The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique or International Federation of Gymnastics is the governing body of competitive gymnastics. Its headquarters is in Lausanne, Switzerland. It was founded on July 23, 1881 in Liège, Belgium, making it the oldest international sport organisation...
(FIG) in its Apparatus Norms document:
- Inner diameter: 18 centimetres (7.1 in) ± 0.1 centimetre (0.0393700787401575 in)
- Distance from point of attachment to lower inner side of the rings: 300 centimetres (9.8 ft) ± 1 centimetre (0.393700787401575 in)
- Distance between two points of attachment: 50 centimetres (1.6 ft) ± 0.5 centimetre (0.196850393700787 in)
Routines
An exercise on rings consists of swing, strength and hold elements. Generally, gymnasts are required to fulfill various requirements including a swing to held handstand, a static strength hold, and an aerial dismount. More experienced gymnasts will often perform more than one strength element, sometimes swinging into hold positions or consecutively performing different holds.One of the most widely recognized skills performed on the rings is the Iron Cross, which is executed by extending both arms straight out from the sides of the body while suspended mid air for at least two seconds. Other common strength moves include the inverted cross (i.e., vertically inverted Iron Cross) and the Maltese cross, in which the gymnast holds his body parallel to the ground at ring height with arms extended laterally. Swing elements include giant swings from handstand to handstand, similar to giants performed on the horizontal bar
Horizontal bar
The high bar, also known as the horizontal bar, is an apparatus used by male gymnasts in Artistic Gymnastics. It traditionally consists of a cylindrical metal bar that is rigidly held above and parallel to the floor by a system of cables and stiff vertical supports. Gymnasts typically wear leather...
. Elements on the rings are regulated by the Code of Points
Code of Points (artistic gymnastics)
A Code of Points is a rulebook that defines the scoring system for each level of competition in gymnastics. There is no unified, international code of points; every oversight organization—such as FIG , NCAA Gymnastics, and most national gymnastics federations—designs and employs its own unique Code...
.
International level routines
A rings routine should contain at least one element from all element groups:- I. Kip and swing elements (including to L-sitL-sitThe L-sit is a gymnastics position with the hands on/in a supporting structure, the arms pushed down and the legs lifted up to achieve an L-shape...
) - II. Swings to handstand
- III. Swings to strength hold elements (not L-sits)
- IV. Strength elements and hold elements
- V. Dismounts
Scoring and Rules
Gymnasts will take deductions for form similar to other apparatus. On rings gymnasts will also take deductions for having bent arms in strength elements, or using the straps/cables to support or balance themselves. There are also deductions for excessive swinging of the cables during the routine.Gymnasts who specialise in the Rings discipline
- Leon ŠtukeljLeon ŠtukeljLeon Štukelj was a Yugoslav gymnast of Slovene nationality, Olympic gold medalist and athlete.Štukelj was born in Novo Mesto, Austria-Hungary . He is a noted figure in Slovenian sporting history...
- Jury ChechiJury ChechiJury Dimitri Chechi Commendatore OMRI is a retired Italian gymnast.-Biography:Born in Prato , he won the Olympics title in the rings at Atlanta 1996 and was third at Athens 2004...
- Albert AzaryanAlbert AzaryanAlbert Vagharshakovich Azaryan is a Soviet Armenian artistic gymnast who competed internationally representing the Soviet Union. He is the 1956 and 1960 Olympic champion on the still rings...
(Azarian) - Yordan Yovchev
- Yuri van GelderYuri van GelderYuri van Gelder is a Dutch gymnast, whose best discipline is the rings. His nickname is "Lord of the rings".Born in Waalwijk, Netherlands, Van Gelder took the gold in the men's rings at the 2005 European Championships held in Debrecen, Hungary. He became world champion in the same discipline at...
- Chen YibingChen YibingChen Yibing is a Chinese gymnast, a four-times world champion on still rings. Chen was part of the Chinese team that won the gold medal in the team event at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011 and the Asian Games in 2006 and 2010...