Kurt Thomas: The man who changed American gymnastics.

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If there is any individual who represents a watershed moment in the history of American gymnastics, it is Kurt Thomas. With his achievements, passion and moves, he set an example that has been carried forward by his foundation and training center and infused a dynamic glam to a sport that had been lacking it. Thomas’ legacy is also captured with the four moves that have been named after him, which includes the Thomas Hop on the high bar, the Thomas Flair on the pommel horse, the Thomas Salto on the floor and the Thomas Mount on the parallel bars.

Furthermore, at an era when global gymnastics was dominated by the Soviet Union, East Germany and Japan, Thomas dreamed of putting his country on the map with the Olympic Gold, and thus setting up USA’s journey to being the undisputed leaders of the sport. With the first gold medal at the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships by an American male, he went on to win the highest number of medals won by an American gymnast at the world championship with 6 medals. This record was matched only in 2018 by Simone Biles. Thomas also co-founded Kurt Thomas Gymnastics with his wife, which has been training athletes between the ages of 3-18 for 24 years, and who have won over 1800 state, regional and national titles.

The American legend passed away in 2020 and will be honored by the Kurt Thomas Foundation soon.