Acrobatic gymnastics is the partner discipline of the gymnastics family. Gymnasts work in pairs or groups, with bases supporting and throwing tops through balances, pyramids, flights and catches. It requires immense trust and years of training together.
Units
- Women's pairs, men's pairs and mixed pairs. - Women's groups of three. - Men's groups of four.
Routines
Units perform three routine types. Balance routines feature static holds and pyramids that must be held for a set time. Dynamic routines feature flights, throws and catches. Combined routines include both. At European and World Championships, titles are awarded for each, so a unit can win three: the triple crown.
What makes acro special
Acro routines are choreographed to music and judged on artistry as well as difficulty and execution. Audiences new to gymnastics understand it instantly: you do not need to know the rules to appreciate a three-high pyramid.
In the archive
Read about the 2019 European Championships in Holon, with four triple crowns, and the 2015 championships, where Marina Chernova and Georgiy Pataraya won all three mixed pair titles.
