The world’s greatest artistic gymnasts are renowned for their physical prowess and technical brilliance, with billions of viewers tuning in to watch them display the sport’s most daring and innovative tricks. A gold medal is a prize that can guarantee a special place in history and elevate an athlete to the highest ranks of fame.
This year, there are plenty of gymnastics stars who will be vying for the coveted title of Olympic Champion. Here, we’re taking a closer look at five of the top women who could make the most impactful impression on their sport’s history this summer in Tokyo.
1. Simone Biles (USA)
There’s no doubt that the world’s top gymnast, Simone Biles, will lead the charge for Team USA at this summer’s Olympics. She has proven her worth at previous Olympiads and is a frontrunner for the individual all-around title. Her unique, acrobatic style and powerful, precise execution have made her an icon for young gymnasts around the globe.
2. Donnell Whittenburg (USA)
There hasn’t been an American male gymnast to rise as fast as Donnell Whittenburg this season. He’s in the running for a spot on the all-around podium and has shown an ability to handle any event with ease. His best event is rings, where he has a smooth, controlled dismount and an excellent handstand.
3. Yeo Seojeong (KOR)
There may not be a more sought-after personality in the sport of gymnastics than Seojeong, who is the only female gymnast to have won six gold medals in her career. Her impressive Yurchenko one-and-a-half vault is what makes her a clear threat for the top spot at this summer’s Olympics, and she has all of the tools to pull off another remarkable performance on the biggest stage in sports.
4. Mikaela Schoenenberg (USA)
The junior from Michigan has been solid on all four events, scoring in the low to mid 197s with a bit of variance for a bad meet. She has the potential to be a huge contributor for the Wolverines this season and her upcoming appearance at the NCAA Championships is sure to garner attention.
5. KJ Johnson (USA)
While the senior has been battling injury for much of the season, she has still been solid in her limited opportunities on floor. Her 9.950 in Week 10 was a great return from her illness and she moves into the No. 5 position in the rankings.
College Gym News Recruit Ratings
The first of its kind, the College Gym News Recruit Rankings combine score points and video review points to determine the strength of collegiate gymnasts. Five-star recruits have at least 78 points, with four- and three-star gymnasts having 63 to 77 and 48 points or more respectively. We also include the top 20 freshmen and 2022 national champions to round out our rankings.
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