From Simone Biles' gravity-defying vaults to Paul Hamm's historic Olympic performances. Many American athletes have redefined the sport and inspired generations of future athletes. In this guide, we'll look through the USA's most iconic gymnasts, past and present, and what they achieved.
Who is the best gymnast of all time? 🤸♀️
Who Are the Most Famous Gymnasts in the US?
Before you begin learning this sport, it is important to know everything about what gymnastics is, its history and scope in your region. Becoming a gymnast was considered unusual in the US, however, such is not the case now as this industry is exceptionally growing.
As of 2021
Gymnastics has been in the U.S. for a long time. Several famous gymnasts in the US have made their name in the industry, influencing many gymnastics enthusiasts to emerge as champions in this sport.
Before you begin learning this sport, it is important to know everything about what gymnastics is and how it works. Here are some most famous US gymnasts:
1. Simone Biles
Born in 1997, Simon Biles is one of the most celebrated American artistic gymnasts. Her transformational, flexible, smooth vault and floor exercises have made her win 25 World Championship medals. Simone is considered the greatest gymnast in the history of the Gymnastics World Championships. Her exceptional gymnastic skills and coordination have tied her with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals won by an American gymnast and are the equal ninth-most overall.
Let's look at some of her thrilling winnings and achievements:
- She has been a world all-around champion five times. (2013–2015, 2018–2019)
- She has been a World floor exercise champion five times. (2013–2015, 2018–2019)
- Biles has been a World balance beam champion three times. (2014–2015, 2019)
- Simone has been a world vault champion two times. (2018–2019)
- The most famous US gymnast is a seven-time United States national all-around champion (2013–2016, 2018–2019, 2021).
- Simone Biles was a member of gold-winning American teams during 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
- She has been a three-time World silver medalist (2013 and 2014 on vault, 2018 on uneven bars) and a three-time World bronze medalist (2015 on vault, 2013 and 2018 on balance beam).
- So far, Biles and her team have won the gold medal for the gymnastics team all around in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
2. Edward August Hennig
Edward August Hennig was another famous gymnast in the US, who left a lasting impression on the sport. He was well-known for his on-field confidence and coordination. Hennig has won two gold medals, at the swinging club and the horizontal bar, which he shared with his fellow countryman Anton Heida. Although he did not win a medal at the pommel horse event, his exceptional performance is still praised at the Gymnastics World Championships. Edward finished 50th in the all-around competition.
Club swinging, an artistic gymnastics discipline, featured in two Olympic competitions, first in 1904 and again in 1932.
3. McKayla Rose Maroney
McKayla Rose Maroney is a former gymnast and singer in the U.S. Born in 1995, the skilled athlete has won several gold medals. Her achievements are:
- McKayla earned a gold medal on the American women's gymnastics team.
- The exceptional athlete was awarded many prestigious medals in the team and vault competitions at the World Championships.
- She was the first woman to defend her World Championship vault title at the World Championships.
One of the reasons for her fame is the internet meme featuring her picture with a "not impressed" expression, taken after she won silver in the Olympics.
4. Samuel Mikulak
Samuel Mikulak is admired by aspiring gymnasts for his phenomenal wins. Mikulak has made America proud by winning the all-around Championship six times.
He has also won the NCAA championship eight times, earning the World bronze medal on the high bar in 2018. This talented athlete was the first in all-around and parallel bars at the 2020 Winter Cup in Las Vegas. He came second on the floor & high bars, and third on the pommel horse at the same event.
Mikulak represented the United States at three Olympic Games (2012, 2016, and 2020), which made him a veteran presence on the men’s team. He often carried the role of mentor to younger gymnasts.
Even though he never medaled at the Olympics, his performances elevated the visibility of U.S. men’s gymnastics and set a standard of consistency and artistry that inspired countless future athletes. His retirement in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his legacy continues through the programs and athletes he helped shape.
5. Paul Hamm
Paul Hamm is known to be one of the most charismatic and influential gymnasts in the U.S. Just like Simone Biles, Paul Hamm is known to win all-around at the Olympics and the World Championships.
Paul won the James E. Sullivan award in 2004 as the outstanding athlete in the U.S.
It would not be wrong to say that gymnastics runs in the Hamm family.
Paul's brother, Morgan Hamm, is also a famous gymnast, and his sister, Elizabeth, is a former member of the USA Gymnastics Senior National Team.
There'll be more on Morgan later in the article. Though not as decorated as his twin brother, he's still worth including.
6. Shawn Johnson
Shawn Johnson is celebrated as one of the world's best gymnasts, renowned for her incredible achievements in artistic gymnastics. Her journey through USA Gymnastics saw her clinch numerous medals, including four at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Shawn's performances on the gymnastics beam and vault were particularly awe-inspiring, showcasing her exceptional skills and dedication to the sport. She also became a three-time World Champion in 2007, helping the U.S. secure dominance on the international stage.
Her ability to balance power with elegance made her a standout competitor.
After retiring, Johnson transitioned into a successful career as a motivational speaker, author, and media personality. She is also a strong advocate for young athletes, balancing health, mental well-being, and competition.
Her journey from a promising talent to an Olympic champion continues to resonate with gymnasts around the world, proving that resilience and dedication can lead to lasting success both inside and outside the gym.
Her influence now extends beyond just women's gymnastics; her impact is felt in rhythmic gymnastics and college gymnastics as well. Her journey from a promising young talent to an Olympic champion inspires gymnasts of all ages, motivating countless individuals to explore this dynamic sport and find joy in gymnastics whether with a private gymnastics tutor or in an online gymnastics class.
7. Nastia Liukin
Nastia Liukin is another one of the most celebrated American artistic gymnasts. Her elegant and precise performances on the uneven bars and balance beam have earned her a prominent place in gymnastics history. Nastia's exceptional grace and technical prowess led her to win five Olympic medals, including the all-around gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
Throughout her career, Nastia has showcased her remarkable skills on the world stage, becoming a four-time World Championships medalist and a two-time U.S. national all-around champion.
Her contributions were instrumental in securing team medals for the United States in various international competitions.
Nastia's journey from a promising young gymnast to an Olympic champion continues to inspire aspiring gymnasts, making her an enduring icon in the sport.
She won twice as a junior and twice as a senior
She won in 2005 and 2006
8. Kerri Strung
Kerri Strug is a name that resonates deeply within the gymnastics community and beyond. Born in 1977, Strug became a symbol of determination and grit during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. As part of the "Magnificent Seven," the first U.S. women's gymnastics team to win Olympic gold, her performance on the vault became legendary.
In the team final, Strug executed her final vault on an injured ankle, securing the necessary points for the U.S. to clinch the gold medal. Her courageous effort not only won the hearts of millions but also highlighted the physical and mental toughness required in gymnastics. The image of Strug being carried by her coach, Béla Károlyi, remains an iconic moment in Olympic history.
Strug's legacy extends beyond her Olympic heroics. She has inspired countless young gymnasts to pursue their dreams, often motivating parents to look for gymnastics classes near me to give their children the opportunity to develop similar resilience and passion. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the spirit of gymnastics.
9. Dominique Moceanu
Dominique Moceanu, an American gymnastics prodigy, made a significant mark as the youngest member of the "Magnificent Seven," the U.S. women's team that won gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Known for her powerful and graceful routines, Moceanu captivated audiences with her exceptional skills and technical precision, earning widespread acclaim and admiration.
Her talent was evident early on, as she won the U.S. Junior National All-Around title in 1994 with performances that combined daring acrobatics and fluid dance elements. Despite facing significant challenges, Moceanu's resilience and dedication to gymnastics solidified her status as one of the sport's most talented athletes. Her legacy continues to inspire young gymnasts to pursue their dreams with passion and determination.
10. Gabby Douglas
Gabby Douglas, a gymnastics star, captured global attention with her historic performance at the 2012 London Olympics. As the first African American woman to win the Olympic all-around title, her routines dazzled with a remarkable combination of agility, strength, and elegance.
Her performance not only earned her individual gold but also contributed to the US team's gold medal, marking a significant achievement in gymnastics history.
Douglas's journey to Olympic glory was marked by intense dedication and perseverance.
Her commitment to perfecting her skills and her ability to perform under pressure set her apart from her peers.
She hoped to make a comeback for the 2024 Olympics, but she had to pull out of the US Championships due to an ankle injury.
Gabby Douglas's legacy continues to inspire a new generation of gymnasts, showcasing the power of determination and breaking barriers in sports.
11. Mary Lou Retton
A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever.
Mary Lou Retton
Mary Lou Retton was a household name in the 1980s following the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. She made history as the first American female athlete to win the all-around gold medal in gymnastics at the age of just 16, obviously having started gymnastics at a young age.
Retton's flawless routines and powerful vault made her a national icon.
She won Olympic gold and the hearts of the American people.
She'd go on to collect five medals (gold, two silver, and two bronze) at those Games across multiple apparatus.
Her personality and spirit inspired a generation of young athletes, and she would go on to become a sports commentator, motivational speaker, and youth sports advocate.
Her success paved the way for future champions like Shannon Miller, Nastia Liukin, and Simone Biles.
at the Olympic Games and World Championships.
12. Suni Lee
Suni Lee became the first Hmong-American gymnast to compete and win an Olympic medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (which took place in 2021 due to the global pandemic). Her all-around gold medal cemented her as a rising star, especially when she stepped up after Simone Biles withdrew from some events.
Suni Lee won a bronze medal on the uneven bars. Her contribution to the team event helped the United States to a silver medal.
Part of the US National Team since 2017, she's been collecting World Championship medals and national titles for years.
Lee's visibility has had a profound cultural impact. She became a source of pride for her community and for athletes from underrepresented backgrounds.
She's brought elite-level routines to college audiences by competing in NCAA gymnastics at Auburn University, racking up titles and perfecting her craft. Lee has been vocal about the pressures and has advocated for mental health awareness and the importance of self-care in this demanding sport.
13. Laurie Hernandez
Laurie Hernandez became a breakout star at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Hernandez helped the team secure the gold medal with steady and confident routines as the youngest member of the "Final Five". Laurie also won silver on the balance beam, where her artistry, precision, and charisma set her apart.
After the Games, she took a break from competition to focus on media appearances, advocacy work, and writing her book. She returned to elite gymnastics in 2021, despite facing injuries and challenges. Beyond her medal count, Hernandez is known for her joyful approach to gymnastics, which is undoubtedly inspiring young athletes.
The "Final Five" was the nickname given to the US women's gymnastics team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. It included Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Laurie Hernandez, Madison Kocian, and Aly Raisman. It was called the "Final Five" because it was Marta Karlyi's last Olympic team before retirement, but it was also the last Games before the team size was reduced to four athletes.
14. Morgan Hamm
Morgan Hamm was part of the US men's gymnastics team in the early 2000s alongside his twin brother Paul. Morgan represented the United States at the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Olympic Games. He was pivotal in helping the US men's team win the silver medal at the 2004 Athens Games, where he delivered high-difficulty routines under intense pressure.
Outside of the Olympics, Morgan also earned multiple medals at World Championships and Pan American Games. Hamm's career was marked by perseverance as he battled through injuries while still maintaining elite-level performances, earning him a reputation as a consistent and reliable competitor. His dedication, as well as his competition alongside his brother, made him a fan favorite and a key figure on the US men's gymnastics team of the time.
15. Alicia Sacramone
Alicia Sacramone is one of the country's most accomplished gymnasts and was the captain of the US women's team.
She earned 10 World Championship medals with her best events being the vault and floor exercise, where she showcased explosive power and unmatched confidence. She was part of the team's silver medal effort at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
However, she made a few uncharacteristic mistakes at these Games.
She successfully returned to elite competition after briefly retiring.
Sacramone is still an influential figure in gymnastics, coaching, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of American gymnasts.
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