Thomas salto

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title: "Thomas salto" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["gymnastics-elements"] description: "Move in artistic gymnastics" topic_path: "general/gymnastics-elements" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_salto" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Move in artistic gymnastics ::

The Thomas salto is an extremely difficult and dangerous move performed during the floor exercise in artistic gymnastics. It is named after American gymnast Kurt Thomas.

Technical details

The Thomas salto consists of a 1½ salto backward in a tucked or piked position with 1½ twists or a 1½ salto backward in a layout (straight) position with 1½ twists, landing in a forward roll on the floor.

The move and other skills ending with a roll on the floor are effectively banned. It was removed from the Code of Points following several serious injuries, most notably the paralysis of Elena Mukhina in 1980. As of the 2017–2020 Code, "3/2 salto elements with reception by and then spring from the hands are not permitted," effectively banning the Thomas salto for all gymnasts.

References

References

1. (6 June 2020). "Kurt Thomas, first U.S. man to win a world gymnastics title, dies at 64". ESPN.
2. "USA Gymnastics {{!}} Skills Named for U.S. Gymnasts".
3. Dvora Meyers. (2016). "The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score —from Nadia to Now". Simon and Schuster.
4. "2017-2020 Code of Points Men's Artistic Gymnastics".

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