Learn about the Rhythmic, Trampoline & Tumbling, and Acro disciplines and get to know the athletes participating in the 2021 USA Gymnastics Championships.

Rhythmic Gymnastics

Rhythmic gymnasts use four different apparatus in the individual competition: Hoop, Ball, Clubs, and Ribbon. The apparatus must remain in motion throughout the routines.

Gymnasts are judged on jumps, leaps, throws, balance, turns, flexibility, body and apparatus difficulty.

What to look for: originality, artistry, finesse, and personal style.

Deductions: Losing control of the apparatus, dropping the apparatus and apparatus out of bounds.

The maximum execution score is 10. There is no maximum difficulty score.  

Evita Griskenas | North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center

Evita Griskenas is the 2019 Pan American Games all-around, hoop, ball and ribbon champion, and clubs bronze medalist. Griskenas also advanced to the all-around and ball finals of the 2019 World Championships. Here she is at the 2019 Rhythmic Worlds, Baku Ball qualifications.

Griskenas is captivating throughout her routine, displaying flexibility and turns, and never losing focus on the ball. Watch her turns at :51. 

Lennox Hopkins-Wilkins  | Evergreen Rhythmics

Just 17 years old, Lennox Hopkins-Wilkins is a rising star on the U.S. Rhythmic team.

At the 2021 Elite Qualifier, Birmingham, Ala., she placed first in the all-around with the ball. She also tied for third in hoop and ribbon and placed third in clubs.

She placed fifth in the ribbon at the 2019 USA Gymnastics Championships, sixth in the all-around and seventh in hoop.

Her favorite event is clubs, but she’s mesmerizing with her ribbon work. Here she is performing ribbon for TeamUSA all-around at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships. Check out her pivots at :37 seconds.

Laura Zeng | North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center

You can’t mention U.S. rhythmic gymnastics unless you mention Laura Zeng. Zeng has been competing nationally since 2008 and internationally since 2012. Zeng competed at the 2016 Olympic Games and has steadily improved on the international scene, advancing to the all-around and ribbon finals of the 2019 World Championships.

At the 2019 USA Gymnastics Championships, Des Moines, Iowa, Zeng placed first in all-around, hoops, ball, and clubs, and third in ribbon.

Here she is in the 2019 Rhythmic Worlds Qualifications, Baku (AZE) qualifications for hoop, where she qualified for finals. A strong all-around rhythmic gymnast, she doesn’t have a weak event. 

Jenna Zhao | North Shore Rhythmic Gymnastics Center

At the Junior 2019 USA Gymnastics Championships, Des Moines, Iowa, Zhao had a strong competition, placing first in all-around, rope, ball, and clubs and fifth in ribbon. 

Here she is at the 2019 Rhythmic Junior Worlds Qualifications, Moscow (RUS), competing in ribbon: 

Elena Shinohara | Rhythmic Brains

Elena Shinohars tied for third in the hoop at the 2021 Elite Qualifier, Birmingham, Ala., earlier this year. She has lovely extension and flexibility throughout this routine. Check out her scale at :32. 

Trampoline 

In the individual trampoline, 10 skills are required with the goal to hit all elements in the center of the trampoline.

Gymnasts do two routines and they are judged on difficulty, execution and time of flight.

What to look for: triple somersaults, combinations of triple somersaults and The Miller (two flips and three twists).

Deductions: traveling, form breaks and bounding out. More deductions for lack of control in ending routine and falling off the trampoline. Once you stop (intentionally or unintentionally), the routine is over. 

The maximum execution score is 30 points. There is no maximum difficulty score. There is no maximum time of flight score.

Nicole Ahsinger | Trampoline and Tumbling Express    

In early June, Nicole Ahsinger secured the U.S. women a spot in the Tokyo Olympic trampoline competition with a bronze-medal performance at the 2021 Brescia World Cup at Italy's Centro Spotivo San Filippo. The 2019 World silver medalist and teammate Jessica Stevens of Fairland Gymnastics also finished fourth in the women's synchronized trampoline competition at the same meet.

Charlotte Drury | World Elite Gymnastics

Charlotte Drury is the 2019 U.S. trampoline bronze medalist. She is known for great height on her skills and great rhythm. Drury is a solid contender for the Tokyo Olympics.  Here is Drury during the Individual Trampoline, World Elite - 2021 Elite Challenge.

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Jeffrey Gluckstein | Elite Trampoline Academy

Jeffrey Gluckstein competes in individual and synchronized trampoline. Gluckstein recently took silver in men's trampoline at the 2021 Senior Pan American Championships. A long-time member of the US Trampoline Team, Gluckstein has been competing on the national and international stage since 2006. Gluckstein has participated in World Championships, the Pacific Rim Championships, and several World Cups. Here is Gluckstein during the optional routine finals at the 2019 USA Gymnastics Championships. 

Ruben Padilla | Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling

Ruben Padilla competes in individual and double-mini trampoline. He is also the 2019 Pan American Games trampoline bronze medalist.

Here he is in the 2019 Trampoline Worlds Qualifications, Tokyo (JPN):

Tumbling 

In Tumbling, gymnasts do two passes, each containing eight distinct elements. Two types of tumbling passes are required: the salto pass, where twists are limited, and the twisting pass, where twists are required. 

 The eight required elements in each pass include:

• Back handspring

• Whip backs 

• Twisting elements

• Double or triple salto elements

Gymnasts are judged on the difficulty of elements, execution of elements, height and rhythm of the passes. 

What to look for: controlled landings, increasing momentum, double somersaults in the middle of runs, spectacular dismounts with triple somersaults and twists. 

Deductions: falls, incomplete runs, lack of form, rhythm, height or lack of control. 

More deductions come in the form of runs that don’t end with somersaults and instability after the final elements. Max execution is 30 points.

Hope Bravo | Eagle Gymnastics Academy

A member of the 2018 and 2019 World Championships team, Hope Bravo also advanced to the 2018 World tumbling final. She is the 2019 U.S. tumbling bronze medalist. Here is Bravo at the 2021 Elite Challenge, Birmingham, Ala., where she placed first in tumbling: 

Kaden Brown | Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling

Kaden Brown is the 2019 World team all-around silver medalist and tumbling team and individual bronze medalist. He is also the 2019 U.S. tumbling champion. Brown also advanced to the 2018 World tumbling final. Watch Brown at the VIP Classic 2021, finishing off his tumbling series with a triple back!

Double Mini-Trampoline

In Double Mini-trampoline, gymnasts do two passes, each containing two different elements. A double mini pass has two phases: a mount and a dismount. 

Gymnasts are judged on the difficulty of elements, form, height, distance and control on landing. 

What to look for: triple or even quadruple somersaults, awe-inspiring combination of flips and twists, precision between elements and stuck landings. 

Deductions: incomplete runs, deviating from a straight direction in the air, putting hands down on landing, falling or landing out of bounds.

Maia Amano | Merino Trampoline Gymnastics Academy  

Mai Amano has been competing nationally since 2016 and internationally since 2015. Along with double mini., Amana also competes in individual trampoline and synchronized trampoline. Here she is at the 2021 Elite Challenge, Birmingham, Ala.,  where she placed fifth in double-mini. 

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Here is Amana from the same event where she placed second in the individual trampoline.

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Ruben Padilla | Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling

The multi-talented Padilla is also the 2019 World double mini, double mini team, and all-around silver medalist. Watch the dismount where Padilla has an amazingly controlled landing at :26 seconds.  

Alex Renkert | Integrity Athletics

Alex Renkert is the 2019 World double-mini team silver medalist, tumbling team and double-mini bronze medalist. Here is in the 2021 Elite Challenge:

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Kiley Lockett | World Elite Gymnastics

Kiley Lockett is the 2019 World double-mini team champion and the 2019 U.S. double-mini bronze medalist. She has also competed at the 2018 World Championships:

Acrobatic gymnastics

Acrobatic gymnastic routines come in the form of Women’s Pairs, Men’s Pair, Mixed Pairs, Women’s Group and Men’s Group.

In every category, gymnasts prepare three different exercises: 

• A balance routine, focusing on static holds 

• A dynamic routine, focusing on throws and catches showing flight 

• A combined routine, with both balance and dynamic elements 

Gymnasts perform eight difficulty elements in each routine, including stands, handstands, footstands, saltos and twisting.

They are judged on the difficulty of elements, stability, skill execution, line and shape correctness, landing control and artistry.

What to look for: originality, amplitude. expression and personality.

Deductions: falls, wobbles or hesitations, and incomplete elements.

The maximum execution score is 20 points. The maximum artistry score is 10 points. There is no maximum difficulty score. In a competition final, gymnasts perform only the combined routine. The highest score wins. 

Women’s Pair

Emily Davis & Aubrey Rosilier | Acrobatic Gymnastics of San Antonio

Here's the pair at the 2018 Acrobatic Gymnastics World Championships Qualifications.  

Check out their Incredible strength and flexibility at :54. And notice the pair’s footwork and balance at 2:17.

Men’s Pair

Angel Felix & Braiden McDougall  | Realis Gymnastics Academy

They performed at the 2018 Acro World Age Group Competition, Antwerp, Belgium, where they placed sixth in the all-around.

Mixed Pair

Anna Blough & Carson Breen | Realis Gymnastics Academy

Anna Blough and Carson Breen are still juniors but watch them dazzle at 1:24:27. Notice their elegance, balance and control. 

Women’s Group

Elanor Chang, Grace Vonder Haar & Kayla Vonder Haar | Emilias Acro Gymnastics

The Women’s Group of Elanor Chang, Grace Vonder Haar and Kayla Vonder Haar come in at 2:28:16. Keep an eye out for their breathtaking throws throughout the routine.