Men 2026 update Floor Artistry requirements (Heath Thorpe amendment-JK)

[Denn]

The video examples of a "full twisting stag" are actually a Stag 1/2 and a twisting Hitchkick. A real full twisting stag is probably not something we are going to be seeing.

I'm disappointed in no split leaps being an option.

Where did you see the videos?

 

[Denn]

I found them, but it was not easy. The videos are linked in here.

https://www.fig-docs.com/website/newsletters/MAG/2025/MAG_NL_1_en.pdf

Here's the one about transitions. Interesting to see whom they chose to show!

 

[Bob]

the stag jump at the end is only a half though not a full. So they messed that up.

 

[eanda]

Is there a reason for limiting the list to these elements? For example, why a butterfly with a twist, but not just a plain butterfly?

Cuba 1985 for transition inspiration.

Mario Castro


Jesus Rivera


Raul Menendez


And I know it's not allowed and not what I would want to see every routine, but I always like Khizhnyakov opening with a straddle jump. He has some nice transitions, too.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

Is there a reason for limiting the list to these elements? For example, why a butterfly with a twist, but not just a plain butterfly?

Cuba 1985 for transition inspiration.

Mario Castro


Jesus Rivera


Raul Menendez


And I know it's not allowed and not what I would want to see every routine, but I always like Khizhnyakov opening with a straddle jump. He has some nice transitions, too.

I'd never seen any of those before and love them all.

 

[Denn]

Counting the dismount on floor 1st before calculating the rest of the routine will be interesting, especially since the dismount must be a double flip of some kind.

I'm confused about that. Did they return the multi-twisting single-saltos to the forward and backward groups? (The way they set it up was not as clever as they thought BECAUSE of the dismount rule requiring a double salto.)

Most guys are going to include two backward double saltos and a double front anyway, but... still... I think that the the "double the dismount" rule already gave enough incentive to do something other than a triple twist.

 

[Denn]

@eanda The MTC has some weird hangups about transitions. They refuse to grant credit to split jumps and leaps. Frankly, it's fragile masculinity.

 

[MaryClare]

@eanda The MTC has some weird hangups about transitions. They refuse to grant credit to split jumps and leaps. Frankly, it's fragile masculinity.

There’s nothing especially feminine about a split leap. They just want to retain a stylistic difference between men’s and women’s floor. Which I agree with in principle however I prefer the men’s floor of the early 90s. But that’s like saying I prefer the women’s floor of the early 90s. It’s just not where the sport is anymore.

Now, is there an increasingly American influence in the MTC and in MAG in general? Yes. And that may be a reason for some of the decisions. Because I very much doubt that China, Japan and Russia are losing their shit over a guy doing a split leap, even if they don’t want to see it for other reasons.

Take a guess at who pushed hardest for the balance requirement to go…

 

[Denn]

There’s nothing especially feminine about a split leap. They just want to retain a stylistic difference between men’s and women’s floor.

The phrase "stylistic difference" is often used as a cover-up, though.

Why should there be a difference at all?

And why are split leaps where the line is drawn? There's already plenty of distinction, such as the music vs. no music and dance.

And yes, there are certainly Americans voicing rather rigid opinions about what's "masculine" vs. "feminine" to justify their preferences for rules on men's floor. But there's plenty of people from elsewhere, too. And even more are calling for "stylistic differences" without explaining why. (That's not pointing the finger at you, though I would be interested in hearing how and why you think they should be different if you want to share.)

The fact is: gymnastics is one of the most sexist sports there is, and there all kinds of views that sustain differences that really don't need to be there. And this does all tie back nicely to points Thorpe has made, so we're full circle, LOL.

 

[MaryClare]

The phrase "stylistic difference" is often used as a cover-up, though.

Why should there be a difference at all?

And why are split leaps where the line is drawn? There's already plenty of distinction, such as the music vs. no music and dance.

And yes, there are certainly Americans voicing rather rigid opinions about what's "masculine" vs. "feminine" to justify their preferences for rules on men's floor. But there's plenty of people from elsewhere, too. And even more are calling for "stylistic differences" without explaining why. (That's not pointing the finger at you, though I would be interested in hearing how and why you think they should be different if you want to share.)

The fact is: gymnastics is one of the most sexist sports there is, and there all kinds of views that sustain differences that really don't need to be there. And this does all tie back nicely to points Thorpe has made, so we're full circle, LOL.

Why should there be a difference? Because fundamentally they are not the same sport. The respective judging systems reward different qualities.

There's no reason for example why beam couldnt be a mens event. There is nothing inherently feminine about the beam. But mens beam wouldnt look like womens beam.

Is gymnastics sexist? No, I dont think it is. Gymnastics is a very diverse group of disciplines. There is no issue with men performing to music, it happens in many disciplines. But if you look at acrobatics, mens pair, mixed pair and womens pair have different elements and there are distinct stylistic differences. No girl is going to do a planche on another girl's head.

If there is an argument to say that gymnastics is sexist, then it is that its sexist against female artistic gymnastics. If a MAG wants to do a particularly artistic floor exercise, using some of the elements you've mentioned, he will not be penalised by the judging system. If a WAG wants to do a less artistic floor exercise, more in line with what the men perform, she absolutely will be deducted! With the greatest of respect to Jade Carey, had she been able to perform a mens style floor routine for the same mark, she absolutely would have.

People get far too hung up over "but its called artistic gymnastics". No, its called artistic gymnastics in some languages. It also does a huge diservice to the men to suggest that the only way to be artistic is to be more like the women.

Gymnastics and its culture exists beyond how it typically manifests in artistic disciplines in english speaking countries.

 

[cats]

I'm confused about that. Did they return the multi-twisting single-saltos to the forward and backward groups? (The way they set it up was not as clever as they thought BECAUSE of the dismount rule requiring a double salto.)

Most guys are going to include two backward double saltos and a double front anyway, but... still... I think that the the "double the dismount" rule already gave enough incentive to do something other than a triple twist.

I would assume the intent here would be to avoid situations in which the gymnast is subjected to a “no dismount” score destruction because of a downgrade causing a repeated element? I can’t find the actual text.