Meet The Originators: Double Front Off The Balance Beam

The double tucked front is the third most difficult balance beam dismount.  It is a rarely done dismount as gymnasts often go for the double...

The double tucked front is the third most difficult balance beam dismount.  It is a rarely done dismount as gymnasts often go for the double tucked Arabian that has a higher rating than the double front by 0.1 of a point.

Skill: Double salto forward tucked

Rating: F

Named after: ------

Event: Balance beam

Debut: 1980 World Cup

Is the double front officially named after a gymnast?

No, the double front is added namelessly to the code of points. However, it is widely believed that the first gymnast to perform the dismount is Cristina Grigoras of Romania at the 1980 World Cup.

Grigoras' Biography 

Grigoras is best known for originating "forward salto tucked with ½ twists (180°) take of from both legs" which bears her name in the code of points.

She was part of the Olympic Romanian teams that won silver in 1980 and gold in 1984. 

At 1981 European championships, she won gold on vault, silver in the all around and on the uneven bars, and a bronze on floor exercise. At that year's World championships, she finished fourth with her team, and fifth in the all around and on the uneven bars.

Gymnasts who have also performed this skill

Elena Produnova of Russia

Elena Tsurabulova of Soviet Union

Maryna Sergiyenko of Ukraine

Irina Romanchuk of Ukraine

Jana Beiger of USA

As per the 2022-2024 CoP, new elements have to be performed internationally for the first time at an official FIG Group, in order for it to be named after a gymnast.