Gymnastics is full of amazing moves that can leave you speechless. But have you ever wondered which skills are the absolute hardest to master?
Next, we’ll take a look at the hardest gymnastics moves in both men’s (MAG) and women’s (WAG) artistic gymnastics, ranking them by difficulty rating and score.
How Difficulty Works in Gymnastics (Quick but Important)
In artistic gymnastics, a routine’s D-score (Difficulty Score) is built by adding together the values of the highest-rated skills performed, plus connection bonuses and composition requirements.
Letter Values (Non-Vault Apparatus)
- Skills are assigned letters from A to J
- Each letter corresponds to a numerical value:
- A = 0.1
- E = 0.5
- H = 0.8
- I = 0.9
- J = 1.0
- WAG currently includes J-rated elements
- MAG currently caps at I (0.9)
Vault Difficulty
Vaults are not letter-rated. Instead, each vault receives a numeric D-score, reflecting:
- Entry type
- Post-flight difficulty
- Number of flips and twists
- Blind landings and safety risk
Vault values generally range from 2.0 to just over 6.0, depending on the Code cycle.
Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG)
Women’s gymnastics places a premium on explosive power, clean execution, and precise landings. The skills below represent the highest difficulty values ever assigned in WAG competition.
Highest-Difficulty WAG Skills (2025)
| Skill | Apparatus | Difficulty | Notable Performer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biles II | Floor | J (1.0) | Simone Biles (USA) | 2019 |
| Moors | Floor | I (0.9) | Victoria Moors (CAN) | 2013 |
| Silivas | Floor | H (0.8) | Daniela Silivaș (ROU) | 1988 |
| Biles (Beam Dismount) | Beam | H (0.8) | Simone Biles (USA) | 2019 |
| Chusovitina | Floor | H (0.8) | Oksana Chusovitina (UZB) | 1990s |
| Mo Salto | Uneven Bars | G (0.7) | Mo Huilan (CHN) | Mid-1990s |
| Hristakieva | Uneven Bars | G (0.7) | Snezhana Hristakieva (BUL) | Early 1990s |
| Biles (Yurchenko Double Pike) | Vault | 6.0–6.2 | Simone Biles (USA) | 2021 |
| Produnova | Vault | 6.0 | Elena Produnova (RUS) | 1999 |
| Cheng | Vault | 6.0 | Cheng Fei (CHN) | 2005 |
1. Biles II — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: J (1.0)
Description: Triple-twisting double back (tucked)
The Biles II stands alone as the only J-rated skill in women’s artistic gymnastics history, representing the absolute ceiling of floor difficulty under the FIG Code of Points. It combines two backward somersaults with three full twists, all completed within a very short airborne window.
What makes this skill especially demanding is the need to generate exceptional height while maintaining control through an extremely fast twist rate. The gymnast has minimal visual reference before landing, making air awareness critical.
Why it’s so difficult:
- Requires extraordinary vertical lift
- Combines multiple flips with rapid twisting
- Blind landing with little margin for correction
- Severe execution deductions for small form breaks
Only a handful of gymnasts worldwide have ever trained it, and even fewer have competed it successfully.
2. Moors — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: I (0.9)
Description: Double layout with two twists
The Moors is one of the most technically demanding tumbling elements in WAG because it is performed in a fully extended (layout) position. Compared to tucked or piked skills, the layout shape slows rotation and increases the need for height, precision, and timing.
Rather than relying on compactness, the gymnast must produce explosive rebound power and maintain a perfectly straight body line throughout the skill.
Key difficulty factors:
- Extreme takeoff height required
- Strict body alignment with no shape breaks
- Controlled twist timing without disrupting rotation
It remains one of the most respected high-difficulty floor skills in elite gymnastics.
3. Silivas — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: H (0.8)
Description: Double back tuck with two twists
First competed at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the Silivas marked a turning point in women’s floor exercise. At the time, combining two flips with two twists was revolutionary and helped define the modern era of elite tumbling.
While more gymnasts are capable of performing it today, the Silivas remains a benchmark difficulty, often used as a reference point for evaluating a gymnast’s power and competitive readiness at the international level.
4. Biles — Beam Dismount
Difficulty: H (0.8)
Description: Double-double dismount (two flips, two twists)
Executing a double-double off balance beam is extraordinary because beam provides minimal run-up and limited rebound. The gymnast must generate sufficient power from a narrow surface, convert it into vertical lift, and complete complex rotation before landing.
This dismount remains the most difficult beam exit ever competed in women’s gymnastics, demanding precision, courage, and exceptional spatial awareness.
5. Chusovitina — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: H (0.8)
Description: Full-twisting double layout
The Chusovitina combines high difficulty with one of the most extended body positions in tumbling. Performing a double layout with a full twist requires tremendous height and tight body control throughout the entire flight phase.
Beyond its technical challenge, the skill is historically significant due to Oksana Chusovitina’s longevity, having competed elite-level tumbling across multiple decades.
6. Mo Salto — Uneven Bars
Difficulty: G (0.7)
Description: Front salto over the bar, regrasping the same bar
The Mo Salto is one of the most unique and unconventional skills ever created on uneven bars. The gymnast releases the bar, performs a forward salto over it, and then regrabs the same bar to continue the routine.
This element requires:
- Precise swing timing
- Strong shoulder engagement
- Exceptional spatial awareness
Its rarity today reflects just how technically demanding and risky it is.
7. Hristakieva — Uneven Bars
Difficulty: G (0.7)
Description: Full-twisting Gienger
Twisting release moves on uneven bars are uncommon due to the combination of blind regrasp, complex timing, and increased shoulder stress. The Hristakieva adds a full twist to a Gienger-style release, significantly raising the difficulty.
Small errors in release angle or twist timing can result in missed catches, making this skill one of the more intimidating bar elements even for elite gymnasts.
8. Biles (Yurchenko Double Pike) — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0–6.2
First Performed: 2021
Notable Performer: Simone Biles
This vault redefined the upper limit of difficulty in women’s vaulting. Using a Yurchenko entry, the gymnast explodes off the table into two backward somersaults in a piked position, requiring exceptional block, height, and air awareness.
Unlike tucked vaults, the piked shape increases rotational demands while reducing the margin for error on landing.
Why it’s so difficult:
- Extremely limited time to complete rotation
- Enormous vertical and horizontal power off the table
- Precise body tension needed to control rotation
- High landing forces compared to other WAG vaults
Despite being the hardest vault ever performed by a woman, the FIG has intentionally limited its value to discourage unsafe copying.
9. Produnova — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0
Nickname: “Vault of Death”
The Produnova is a front handspring onto the table followed by a double front tuck, making it one of the most dangerous vaults ever competed. Forward-rotating vaults are inherently risky because the gymnast has very limited visual contact with the landing.
Why it’s high risk:
- Blind landing until very late in the skill
- Forward rotation increases under-rotation danger
- Severe impact forces on ankles, knees, and spine
As a result, many gymnasts have removed it from competition due to injury concerns.
10. Cheng — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0
Description: Round-off half-on, layout 1½ off
The Cheng remains a staple of elite vault finals because it balances high difficulty with better execution potential. While not as extreme as the Biles or Produnova, it demands precise blocking technique, strong post-flight control, and consistent landings.
Its reliability makes it one of the most strategically valuable vaults in women’s artistic gymnastics.
Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (MAG)
MAG emphasizes strength, amplitude, and risk tolerance, especially on apparatuses like high bar, rings, and floor.
Highest-Difficulty MAG Skills (2025)
| Skill | Apparatus | Difficulty | Notable Performer | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagornyy | Floor | I (0.9) | Nikita Nagornyy (RUS) | 2021 |
| Shirai III | Floor | I (0.9) | Kenzo Shirai (JPN) | 2015 |
| Miyachi | High Bar | I (0.9) | Hidetaka Miyachi (JPN) | 2017 |
| Jarman | Floor | I (0.9)* | Jake Jarman (GBR) | 2023 |
| Liukin | Floor | H (0.8) | Valeri Liukin (URS) | 1987 |
| Bretschneider | High Bar | H (0.8) | Andreas Bretschneider (GER) | 2014 |
| Yang Hak-Seon | Vault | 6.0 | Yang Hak-Seon (KOR) | 2011 |
| Ri Se Gwang | Vault | 6.0 | Ri Se Gwang (PRK) | 2009 |
| Roche | Vault | 6.0 | Jorge Roche (CUB) | 1980s |
1. Nagornyy — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: I (0.9)
Description: Triple back salto (piked)
The Nagornyy is one of the most demanding tumbling skills ever competed on men’s floor. Performing three backward somersaults in a piked position requires enormous height, precise body tension, and flawless rotational control.
Unlike tucked triple saltos, the piked shape lengthens the body and slows rotation, significantly increasing difficulty. Any loss of lift or control can result in dangerous under-rotation.
Why it’s so difficult:
- Extreme vertical lift required
- High rotational speed with reduced compactness
- Very small margin for landing error
This skill represents the upper limit of tumbling difficulty in modern MAG.
2. Shirai III — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: I (0.9)
Description: Triple-twisting double back (layout)
The Shirai III showcases Kenzo Shirai’s exceptional twisting ability. The gymnast performs two backward somersaults with three full twists in a stretched (layout) position, demanding extraordinary air awareness and twist control.
Combining a layout position with heavy twisting places enormous strain on timing and body alignment, leaving little room for correction before landing.
3. Miyachi — High Bar
Difficulty: I (0.9)
Description: Double-twisting double layout Kovacs
The Miyachi is widely considered the hardest release move ever performed on high bar. The gymnast releases the bar into a double layout salto with two full twists before regrasping.
This skill requires exceptional swing amplitude, release precision, and spatial awareness. The height and distance needed to safely complete the skill make it one of the rarest elements in MAG competition.
Why it’s extreme:
- Massive release height
- Blind regrasp at full extension
- Severe risk if release angle is incorrect
4. Jarman — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: I (0.9) (official FIG cap)
Description: Double back with 3½ twists
The Jarman is among the most twist-heavy tumbling passes currently competed in MAG. While sometimes informally referred to as “J-level” in media, the FIG officially caps it at I (0.9).
The skill demands rapid twist initiation and precise timing to safely complete rotation before landing, especially under fatigue late in routines.
5. Liukin — Floor Exercise
Difficulty: H (0.8)
Description: Triple back tuck
First performed in the late 1980s, the Liukin was groundbreaking at the time and helped define the trajectory of elite men’s tumbling. Completing three backward somersaults in a tucked position remains a massive power requirement even by modern standards.
While no longer the absolute peak of difficulty, it remains a foundational ultra-hard element in MAG history.
6. Bretschneider — High Bar
Difficulty: H (0.8)
Description: Double-twisting double back tuck release
The Bretschneider is a high-risk release move that combines two flips and two twists before a blind regrasp. Compared to the Miyachi, it uses a tucked position, but the twisting component still makes timing critical.
Small errors in release direction or twist speed can lead to missed catches, making it one of the most intimidating high-bar skills.
7. Yang Hak-Seon — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0
Description: Front handspring triple twist
The Yang Hak-Seon vault revolutionized men’s vaulting by introducing triple twisting in post-flight. It demands tremendous sprint speed, explosive block, and precise twist control.
This vault remains one of the most powerful and technically demanding vaults in MAG competition.
8. Ri Se Gwang — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0
Description: Tsukahara-style and handspring double-salto variations
Ri Se Gwang has multiple vaults named after him, all characterized by extreme power and complex rotation. These vaults typically involve double saltos with twists, executed with high amplitude and minimal landing margin.
They remain among the hardest vaults regularly seen in men’s international competition.
9. Roche — Vault
Difficulty: 6.0
Description: Handspring double front
The Roche vault is a classic example of forward-rotating vault difficulty. Like the Produnova in WAG, it is dangerous because the gymnast has limited visual awareness of the landing.
Forward-rotating vaults place heavy stress on the ankles, knees, and spine, making them less common despite their high difficulty value.
Key MAG Reminder
FIG currently limits MAG non-vault skills to a maximum difficulty of I (0.9).
There are no officially recognized J-rated elements in men’s artistic gymnastics under the 2025–2028 Code.
