Gymnastics is one of the oldest and most fascinating sports in the world, renowned for its combination of strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and elegance. Over the decades, countless talented women have excelled in artistic gymnastics, becoming icons and inspiring generations of young athletes.
That’s why we’ve prepared special content to pay tribute to these athletes. Here, you’ll find out who the 20 best female gymnasts of all time are, their life stories, titles and much more!
These gymnasts not only dominated competitions and won titles, but also overcame personal challenges and broke barriers, leaving a lasting legacy. From the Olympic Games to world championships, their performances have revolutionized gymnastics, setting new standards of excellence.
Now it’s time to see who the 20 best female gymnasts of all time are!
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Top 20 female gymnasts of all time: complete list
- Simone Biles
- Nadia Comaneci
- Larisa Latynina
- Svetlana Khorkina
- Olga Korbut
- Shannon Miller
- Mary Lou Retton
- Daniela Silivaș
- Aly Raisman
- Kerri Strug
- Li Ning
- Gina Gogean
- Nastia Liukin
- Kim Zmeskal
- Svetlana Boguinskaia
- Liu Xuan
- Laurie Hernandez
- Mo Huilan
- Beth Tweddle
- Lilia Podkopayeva
20 best female gymnasts of all time: find out more about the athletes
1. Simone Biles
- Titles: 7 Olympic medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), 25 world championship medals (19 gold)
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Known for her explosive power and superior technical skills, including moves that bear her name, such as the “Biles” on the floor.
- Life story: Born in 1997, Simone overcame a difficult childhood and took up gymnastics at the age of 6. She went on to become one of the greatest athletes of all time, inspiring many with her resilience and talent.
2. Nadia Comaneci
- Titles: 5 Olympic gold medals, 3 silver, 1 bronze
- Team: Romania
- Fun facts: First gymnast to receive a perfect score of 10.0 at the 1976 Olympics.
- Life story: Born in 1961, Nadia began training in gymnastics at the age of 6. Her historic performance in Montreal at the age of 14 revolutionized the sport.
3. Larisa Latynina
- Titles: 9 Olympic gold medals, 5 silver, 4 bronze
- Team: Soviet Union
- Fun facts: Holds the record for the most Olympic medals by a gymnast for over 40 years.
- Life story: Born in 1934, Larisa dominated gymnastics in the 1950s and 1960s, helping to solidify the Soviet Union as a gymnastics powerhouse.
4. Svetlana Khorkina
- Titles: 2 Olympic golds, 7 world championship golds
- Team: Russia
- Fun facts: Known for her innovative routines and mastery of the asymmetric bars.
- Life story: Born in 1979, Svetlana has had a long and distinguished career, marking gymnastics with her elegance and creativity.
5. Olga Korbut
- Titles: 4 Olympic gold medals, 2 silver medals
- Team: Soviet Union
- Fun facts: Known for innovative moves such as the “Korbut Flip”.
- Life story: Born in 1955, Olga enchanted the world at the 1972 Olympics with her energy and skill, transforming the perception of women’s gymnastics.
6. Shannon Miller
- Titles: 7 Olympic medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze), 9 world titles
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Most decorated American gymnast until the 2000s.
- Life story: Born in 1977, Shannon was one of the stars of the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, continuing to influence sport through her work as a commentator and advocate for women’s health.
7. Mary Lou Retton
- Titles: 1 Olympic gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: First American woman to win gold in the individual all-around at the 1984 Olympics.
- Life story: Born in 1968, Mary Lou became a national sensation and symbol of the American dream after her performances in Los Angeles.
8. Daniela Silivaș
- Titles: 6 Olympic medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
- Team: Romania
- Fun facts: Known for her impeccable technique and grace.
- Life story: Born in 1972, Daniela shone at the 1988 Olympic Games, contributing to the legacy of Romanian gymnastics.
9. Aly Raisman
- Titles: 6 Olympic medals (3 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze)
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Captain of the American teams that won the championship in 2012 and 2016.
- Life story: Born in 1994, Aly is known for her strength and leadership, as well as being an active voice against abuse in sport.
10. Kerri Strug
- Titles: 1 Olympic gold, 1 bronze
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Famous for her heroic performance at the 1996 Olympics, despite an injury.
- Life story: Born in 1977, Kerri became a national icon after helping her team secure gold in Atlanta.
11. Li Ning
- Titles: 3 golds, 2 silvers and 1 bronze at the Olympics
- Team: China
- Fun facts: Nicknamed the “Prince of Gymnastics” in China.
- Life story: Born in 1963, Li Ning is one of China’s most respected athletes and founder of the famous sports brand that bears his name.
12. Gina Gogean
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (2 silver, 3 bronze), 9 world titles
- Team: Romania
- Fun facts: Recognized for her consistency and mental strength.
- Life story: Born in 1977, Gina had an illustrious career in the 1990s, excelling in several international competitions.
13. Nastia Liukin
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Daughter of two Olympic gymnastics champions.
- Life story: Born in 1989, Nastia reached the peak of her career at the 2008 Olympic Games, becoming one of the most elegant gymnasts of her generation.
14. Kim Zmeskal
- Titles: 1 Olympic bronze, 3 world titles
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: First American gymnast to win the world all-around title in 1991.
- Life story: Born in 1976, Kim Zmeskal was one of the leaders of the American team in the early 1990s and continues to contribute to the sport as a coach.
15. Svetlana Boguinskaia
- Titles: 5 Olympic medals (3 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze), 9 world titles
- Team: Soviet Union, Belarus
- Fun facts: Known as the “Goddess of Gymnastics” for her imposing presence.
- Life story: Born in 1973, Svetlana has had a long and successful career, being one of the few gymnasts to compete in three Olympics.
16. Liu Xuan
- Titles: 1 Olympic gold, 1 bronze
- Team: China
- Fun facts: First Chinese woman to win a gold medal on the asymmetric bars.
- Life story: Born in 1979, Liu Xuan stood out at the Sydney 2000 Games, becoming an important figure in Chinese gymnastics.
17. Laurie Hernandez
- Titles: 1 Olympic gold, 1 silver
- Team: United States
- Fun facts: Known for her vibrant personality and energetic performances.
- Life story: Born in 2000, Laurie was one of the stars of the American team at the 2016 Olympics, gaining popularity outside of sport as well.
18. Mo Huilan
- Titles: 1 Olympic silver, multiple medals at world championships
- Team: China
- Fun facts: First Chinese woman to win a medal at a world championships.
- Life story: Born in 1979, Mo Huilan was a pioneer for Chinese gymnastics in the 1990s.
19. Beth Tweddle
- Titles: 1 Olympic bronze, 3 world titles
- Team: Great Britain
- Fun facts: First British gymnast to win a medal at the world and Olympic championships.
- Life story: Born in 1985, Beth transformed British gymnastics, being a role model for future generations of athletes.
20. Lilia Podkopayeva
- Titles: 2 Olympic golds, 1 silver
- Team: Ukraine
- Fun facts: Olympic all-around champion in 1996.
Life story: Born in 1978, Lilia is known for her elegance and refined technique, leaving a lasting legacy in Ukrainian gymnastics.
20 best female gymnasts of all time
- Simone Biles
- Nadia Comaneci
- Larisa Latynina
- Svetlana Khorkina
- Olga Korbut
- Shannon Miller
- Mary Lou Retton
- Daniela Silivaș
- Aly Raisman
- Kerri Strug
- Li Ning
- Gina Gogean
- Nastia Liukin
- Kim Zmeskal
- Svetlana Boguinskaia
- Liu Xuan
- Laurie Hernandez
- Mo Huilan
- Beth Tweddle
- Lilia Podkopayeva
20 best female gymnasts of all time
All the athletes mentioned in this list have made a difference in the world of artistic gymnastics, and that’s why they need to be celebrated. Knowing the names of the 20 best female gymnasts of all time, then, is crucial to continuing to value the sport!
And if you liked this content, take the opportunity to find out more about the world of artistic gymnastics and many other sports here!
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