Iron cross (gymnastics)

Eleftherios Petrounias performs an iron cross during his gold medal routine at the 2016 Olympics

L cross

Maltese cross

Inverted cross

An iron cross, also known as a crucifix ^[1] or cross, ^[2] is a gymnastics skill on the rings in which the body is suspended upright while the arms are extended laterally, forming the shape of the Christian cross. It is a move that requires significant shoulder and bicep tendon strength.

Current world record is held by Ivan Misetic (90.69sec)

The International Gymnastics Federation Code of Points refers to the skill as a cross and lists it as a "B" difficulty value strength hold element. ^{[3] [4]}

Variants

Variations of the iron cross listed in the FIG Code of Points include:

• L cross (B difficulty): the cross is performed with the body held in an L-sit position. ^[4]
• V cross (C difficulty): the cross is performed with the body in a tight piked position and the legs held vertically. ^[4]
• Inverted cross (C difficulty): the cross is performed in an inverted (upside down) position. ^[4]
• Maltese cross or swallow (D difficulty): the gymnast holds his body parallel to the ground at ring height with arms extended laterally. ^[4]
• Victorian cross or inverted swallow (E difficulty): an inverted Maltese cross, with the body held parallel to the ground and facing up. ^[4]

See also

• Calisthenics

References

1. Fukushima, Sho; Russell, Wrio (1980). Men's gymnastics. Faber & Faber. pp. 94–95. ISBN   0-571-11478-4.
2. Tatlow, Peter (1979). Gymnastics. Lyric Books Limited. p. 76. ISBN   0-07-0935351.
3. "FIG - Discipline". www.gymnastics.sport. Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
4. Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (February 2020). 2022 – 2024 Code of Points:Men's Artistic Gymnastics (PDF). FIG Executive Committee. p. 86.