“Shirai’s new element on Floor Exercise valued "H"

The imagination of gymnasts knows 'no bounds' when creating new skills

( Steve Butcher -- FIG MTC )

“Shirai’s new element on Floor Exercise, a double salto backward stretched with three twists, is an H value, as approved by the MTC, on a scale from A to H. It will be the second H value element for men in the Code of Points following the Bretschneider on Horizontal Bar. The Shirai 3 is difficult because of the double salto and multiple twisting. A perfect landing can be harder to find because of the complicated aspects of this element, combining power and precision. This element now means Shirai's name appears four times in the Code of Points.”

The human body and imagination of gymnasts has no bounds. Constantly improving coaching and originality will continue to bring us more difficult elements with improved safety.