artistic gymnastics is one of the most exciting and challenging sports in the world, requiring strength, flexibility, coordination and tireless dedication. From its origins in Ancient Greece to modern competitions, gymnasts have captivated global audiences with their incredible and innovative performances.
Over the decades, many men have stood out and become legends in this sport, winning world and Olympic titles and setting new standards of excellence. With this in mind, we’ve created a list of the 20 best gymnasts of all time!
In the list, we show that they not only won countless medals and trophies, but also influenced the evolution of gymnastics and inspired future generations of athletes!
So let’s find out more about the best male gymnasts of all time?
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The 20 best male gymnasts of all time: complete list
- Nikolai Andrianov
- Kōhei Uchimura
- Vitaly Scherbo
- Sawao Kato
- Li Ning
- Alexei Nemov
- Epke Zonderland
- Max Whitlock
- Dmitry Bilozerchev
- Alberto Braglia
- Paul Hamm
- Koji Gushiken
- Yuri Korolev
- Oleg Verniaiev
- Fabian Hambüchen
- Bart Conner
- Mitsuo Tsukahara
- Louis Smith
- Marian Drăgulescu
- Kurt Thomas
The 20 best male gymnasts of all time: read more
1. Nikolai Andrianov
- Titles: 15 Olympic medals (7 gold), 12 medals at World Championships
- Team: Soviet Union
- Fun facts: The greatest male medalist in gymnastics until he was beaten by Michael Phelps at the Olympic Games.
- Life Story: Born in 1952, Andrianov began training in gymnastics at the age of 11 and quickly made a name for himself. His dominance in the 1970s cemented his place as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
2. Kōhei Uchimura
- Titles: 7 Olympic medals (3 gold), 21 medals at World Championships
- Team: Japan
- Fun facts: Considered the greatest gymnast of all time for his consistency and skill in all disciplines.
- Life Story: Born in 1989, Uchimura started training at a very young age and quickly became a sensation on the world stage. He is famous for his longevity and mastery of the sport.
3. Vitaly Scherbo
- Titles: 10 Olympic medals (6 gold), 23 medals at World Championships
- Team: Soviet Union / Belarus
- Fun facts: The only gymnast to win six golds at a single Olympics (Barcelona 1992).
- Life Story: Born in 1972, Scherbo has experienced many adversities, including a serious car accident. His resilience and talent are widely recognized.
4. Sawao Kato
- Titles: 12 Olympic medals (8 gold), 4 World Championship medals
- Team: Japan
- Fun facts: Considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, especially for his performances at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics.
- Life Story: Born in 1946, Kato began competing internationally in the 1960s, winning a total of 12 Olympic medals.
5. Li Ning
- Titles: 6 Olympic medals (3 gold), 14 medals at World Championships
- Team: China
- Fun facts: Famous for lighting the Olympic torch at the 2008 Beijing Games.
- Life Story: Born in 1963, Li Ning dominated gymnastics in the 1980s and later founded one of China’s largest sporting goods companies.
6. Alexei Nemov
- Titles: 12 Olympic medals (4 gold), 5 medals at World Championships
- Team: Russia
- Fun facts: Known for his versatility and charm, Nemov was one of the public’s favorites.
- Life Story: Born in 1976, Nemov began his international career in the mid-1990s and continued to shine until the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
7. Epke Zonderland
- Titles: 1 Olympic medal (gold), 3 World Championship medals
- Team: Netherlands
- Fun facts: Known as “The Flying Dutchman” for his spectacular routines on the fixed bar.
- Life Story: Born in 1986, Zonderland became famous for his highly difficult and precise performances, particularly on the fixed bar.
8. Max Whitlock
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (3 gold), 8 World Championship medals
- Team: Great Britain
- Fun facts: First Briton to win an Olympic gold in gymnastics.
- Life Story: Born in 1993, Whitlock began his international career in 2010 and quickly established himself as one of Britain’s best gymnasts.
9. Dmitry Bilozerchev
- Titles: 3 Olympic medals (2 gold), 8 medals at World Championships
- Team: Soviet Union
- Fun facts: Returned to the top after a near-fatal car accident.
- Life Story: Born in 1966, Bilozerchev overcame a serious accident to return and win world and Olympic titles, highlighting his determination and skill.
10. Alberto Braglia
- Titles: 3 Olympic medals (3 gold)
- Team: Italy
- Fun facts: First gymnast to win gold in the individual all-around at two consecutive Olympics (1908 and 1912).
Life Story: Born in 1883, Braglia was a pioneer of modern gymnastics, impressing with his skills and conquering the world of sport at the beginning of the 20th century.
11. Paul Hamm
- Titles: 3 Olympic medals (1 gold), 4 World Championship medals
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: First American to win gold in the individual all-around at a World Championship and the Olympics.
- Life Story: Born in 1982, Hamm has faced controversy and challenges throughout his career, but has distinguished himself as one of the best gymnasts in the USA.
12. Koji Gushiken
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (2 gold), 3 World Championship medals
- Team: Japan
- Fun facts: Famous for his precise and elegant routines.
- Life Story: Born in 1956, Gushiken was one of Japan’s leading gymnasts in the 1980s, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.
13. Yuri Korolev
- Titles: 2 Olympic medals, 13 medals at World Championships (9 gold)
- Team: Soviet Union
- Fun facts: Dominated the World Championships in the 80s.
- Life Story: Born in 1962, Korolev was a central figure in Soviet gymnastics, known for his consistent, high-quality performances.
14. Oleg Verniaiev
- Titles: 2 Olympic medals (1 gold), 10 medals at World Championships
- Team: Ukraine
- Fun facts: Noted for his versatility on all apparatus.
- Life Story: Born in 1993, Verniaiev made a name for himself on the international stage in the early 2010s with exceptional performances in global competitions.
15. Fabian Hambüchen
- Titles: 3 Olympic medals (1 gold), 11 World Championship medals
- Team: Germany
- Fun facts: Known for his longevity and consistency in high-level competitions.
- Life Story: Born in 1987, Hambüchen has had a brilliant career, appearing in several Olympics and World Championships.
16. Bart Conner
- Titles: 2 Olympic medals (2 gold), 2 World Championship medals
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Married to gymnast Nadia Comăneci.
- Life Story: Born in 1958, Conner was one of the leading American gymnasts of the 1970s and 1980s, achieving success in national and international competitions.
17. Mitsuo Tsukahara
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (5 gold), 9 World Championship medals
- Team: Japan
- Fun facts: He invented several moves that still bear his name.
- Life Story: Born in 1947, Tsukahara revolutionized gymnastics with his technical innovations and impeccable performances.
18. Louis Smith
- Titles: 3 Olympic medals (2 silver, 1 bronze), 7 European Championship medals
- Team: Great Britain
- Fun facts: Competed on “Strictly Come Dancing” and became a celebrity in the UK.
- Life Story: Born in 1989, Smith excelled particularly on the pommel horse, bringing recognition to British gymnastics.
19. Marian Drăgulescu
- Titles: 1 Olympic medal (1 silver), 31 medals at World and European Championships
- Team: Romania
- Fun facts: Known for the move that bears his name, the “Drăgulescu” on vault.
- Life Story: Born in 1980, Drăgulescu is a living legend in gymnastics, competing at a high level for over two decades.
20. Kurt Thomas
- Titles: 6 medals at World Championships (3 gold)
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: First American to win a world title in gymnastics.
- Life Story: Born in 1956, Thomas was a pioneer for American gymnasts, paving the way for the success of future generations.
The 20 best male gymnasts of all time: complete list
- Nikolai Andrianov
- Kōhei Uchimura
- Vitaly Scherbo
- Sawao Kato
- Li Ning
- Alexei Nemov
- Epke Zonderland
- Max Whitlock
- Dmitry Bilozerchev
- Alberto Braglia
- Paul Hamm
- Koji Gushiken
- Yuri Korolev
- Oleg Verniaiev
- Fabian Hambüchen
- Bart Conner
- Mitsuo Tsukahara
- Louis Smith
- Marian Drăgulescu
- Kurt Thomas
The 20 best male gymnasts of all time
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