Yeo Seo-jeong earns FIG recognition for original move

Korean gymnastics sensation Yeo Seo-jeong, 2018 Asian Games gold medalist in the women’s vault, has vaulted into the international scoring book with her new move, joining her Olympic medal-winning father in the process.

The Korea Gymnastics Association (KGA) said on Wednesday the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) has authorized Yeo’s vault technique as a new, eponymous element worth 6.2 points in a difficulty score. She successfully landed it for the first time during the Korea Cup last week on Jeju Island to make it into FIG’s Code of Points.

The FIG names an original element after the gymnast who first completes it in competition.

Yeo’s father is Yeo Hong-chul, who won silver in the men’s vault at the 1996 Olympics and who has two elements, “Yeo 1” and “Yeo 2,” listed in FIG’s Code of Points.

Yeo Seo-jeong’s new move is a variation of Yeo 2, which involves a handspring forward and a salto forward with a 900-degree twist. The junior Yeo does hers with a 720-degree twist at the end.

A technical supervisor from the FIG was on hand at the Korea Cup to watch Yeo execute the move. The 17-year-old had attempted it in a competition last year but couldn’t get it approved by FIG owing it to her wobbly landing.

At Tokyo 2020 next summer, Yeo will try to become the first female Korean gymnast to win an Olympic medal.

Yonhap