Tsukahara (vault) facts for kids

Petro Pakhnyuk competing a Tsukahara vault at the 2020 Summer Olympics

The Tsukahara is a famous and exciting type of vault in artistic gymnastics. It's named after the Japanese gymnast Mitsuo Tsukahara, who first performed it in 1972. This vault involves a special way of getting onto the vault table and then performing a flip or twist in the air. It's a key move that many gymnasts use in competitions.

Understanding the Tsukahara Vault

A Tsukahara vault starts with the gymnast running towards the springboard. They jump onto the springboard and do a half-turn before landing their hands on the vault table. From the table, they push off backwards. This push sends them high into the air. While in the air, they usually perform a back salto (a flip) or a layout (a straight-body flip). It's a powerful and acrobatic move!

Who Created the Tsukahara Vault?

The Tsukahara vault was created by the talented Japanese gymnast, Mitsuo Tsukahara. He first showed this amazing move to the world in 1972. Because he was the first to successfully perform it, the vault was named in his honor. Mitsuo Tsukahara was a very successful gymnast, winning many medals for Japan during his career.

Exploring Different Tsukahara Vaults

The term "Tsukahara" doesn't just mean one specific vault. It's actually a family of vaults! Any vault that includes a handspring with a quarter or half turn onto the vault table, followed by a backward flip, is considered a Tsukahara. Gymnasts have developed many exciting variations over the years.

Some popular variations include:

• Kim: This version of the Tsukahara involves a full twist (360 degrees) while the gymnast is either tucked (knees to chest) or stretched (body straight) in the air.
• Zamolodchikova: In this advanced Tsukahara, the gymnast performs a double twist (720 degrees) while keeping their body stretched out. It's a very difficult and impressive move!
• Phelps: This variation starts with a half-turn onto the vault table. Then, the gymnast performs another half-turn off the table, going into a front layout (a straight-body front flip).

Why the Tsukahara Vault is Important

The Tsukahara vault is very important in artistic gymnastics. It's a fundamental skill that many gymnasts learn and master. Performing a Tsukahara vault well shows a gymnast's strength, agility, and control. It's often a highlight of vaulting competitions and helps gymnasts earn high scores. This vault continues to be a popular and challenging element in the sport today.