Who are the 10 most famous US gymnasts in the world currently?

Who are the 10 most famous US gymnasts in the world currently?

Lenah Ann
updated at April 21, 2023 at 6:07 AM

Gymnastics has been among the world's most famous Olympic sports for centuries. However, only talented individuals participate in this competition since it is strenuous, requiring a lot of precision, balance, flexibility, agility, endurance, and strength. Famous US gymnasts have been in the front row producing some of the best breathtaking and jaw-breaking performances in the arena.

Famous US gymnasts
Chris Hiser of the University of Nebraska competes on rings during the Division I Mens Championship held at Rec Hall on 15 April 2023 in University Park, Pennsylvania. Photo: Scott Taetsch
Source: Getty Images

Dating back to ancient Greece, the sport has come a long way, and consequently, some of the best in the industry has risen to the occasion. Today, during an Olympic competition, both genders participate in the sport. However, recent statistics show that women perform better than their male counterparts.

Top 10 most famous US gymnasts as of 2023

The sport is one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States of America. It is estimated that in 2022, there were about 4.27 million athletes in the country, rising from 3.85 million in the previous years.

With increasing popularity and talent, the best athletes have dominated the industry. According to various online analysts, here is a list displaying some of the top 10 famous US gymnasts in 2023.

10. Paul Hamm

Famous US female gymnasts
Paul Hamm of the United States competes on the Pommel Horse during the Men's events of the 2000 Summer Olympic games held in 1 September 2000 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: David Madison
Source: Getty Images

Paul is among the most famous US male gymnasts who won the James E Sullivan Award as an outstanding athlete in 2004. He is renowned for winning for his stunning performance in the Olympics and the World Championships, where he won all rounds.

The legend is often dubbed the most influential and charismatic athlete in the United States of America. Additionally, his family members are all-time greats in the sport's arena.

  • Full name: Paul Elbert Hamm
  • Age: 40 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 24 September 1982
  • Place of birth: Washburn, Wisconsin, the United States of America

9. Shawn Johnson East

Famous US female gymnasts
Shawn Johnson East attends Vanity Fair and Lancome Toast to The Hollywood Issue at Chateau Marmont on 23 February 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Emma McIntyre
Source: Getty Images

Among the most famous US female athletes in the sport is Shawn Johnson East. Her achievements in the Olympics have secured her a place on this list. She bagged the 2008 Olympic gold and silver medals, and in 2007 she was ranked as the world champion.

The renowned athlete also won the Pan American Games gold medal a whooping five times, consequently taking home the team titles in 2007 and 2011.

  • Full name: Shawn Johnson East
  • Age: 31 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 19 January 1992
  • Place of birth: Des Moines, Iowa, the United States of America

8. Aly Raisman

Famous US male gymnasts
Aly Raisman speaks during the 2022 Unstereotype Alliance Global Member Summit on 18 November 2022 in New York City. Photo: Michael Loccisano
Source: Getty Images

Aly is one of the most famous female gymnasts in the USA who won the Olympian two times. She led the Final Five and the Fierce Five, teams that performed better and won the contests, in her golden years of 2012 and 2015, respectively.

Aly became one of the most decorated American athletes in history after winning the gold medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

  • Full name: Alexandra Rose Raisman
  • Age: 28 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 25 May 1994
  • Place of birth: Needham, Massachusetts, the United States of America

7. McKayla Maroney

Most famous US Olympic gymnasts
McKayla Maroney attends Twila True Fine Jewelry & Watches Annual Tropical Summer Soiree at Twila True Fine Jewelry & Watches on 12 August 2021 in Newport Beach, California. Photo: JC Olivera
Source: Getty Images

McKayla is a famous US athlete and singer. She won gold medals while competing individually and in the team's 2012 Summer Olympics vault event competitions. Maroney was a member of the famously known team, the Fierce Five.

In 2013, she won a gold medal in the vault event, and in doing so, she defended her world championship title and thus became the first US Olympic athlete to do so in the category.

  • Full name: McKayla Rose Maroney
  • Age: 27 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 9 December 1995
  • Place of birth: Aliso Viejo, California, the United States of America

6. Shannon Miller

Most famous US gymnasts
Shannon Miller competes on the Balance Beam on 28 July 1992 during the Team All-Around event of the Women's competition of the 1992 Summer Olympics held at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: David Madison
Source: Getty Images

Shannon holds the record for the most Olympic medals in history, making her one of the most famous US Olympic gymnasts. She has numerous accomplishments and achievements to her name, such as being inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame twice.

To some people, she is regarded as the most decorated US athlete due to her performance that resulted in 49 National and 59 International medals.

  • Full name: Shannon Lee Miller
  • Age: 46 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 10 March 1977
  • Place of birth: Rolla, Missouri, the United States of America

5. Gabby Douglas

Most famous US Olympic gymnasts
Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas teaches Jay Pharoah gymnastics on the IMDb Series “Special Skills” on 2 March 2020 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Rich Polk
Source: Getty Images

Gabby is an American artistic athlete who rose to fame after winning the 2012 Olympic all-around champion and the 2015 World all-around silver medal. She is considered one of the most famous female gymnasts in the USA and the world.

The American-based athlete was the first US athlete to win gold medals in team and individual events. As a result, Gabby has earned huge successes, including winning ten golds and one silver medal in her career, and still proves to be among the best in the industry.

  • Full name: Gabrielle Christina Victoria Douglas
  • Age: 27 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 31 December 1995
  • Place of birth: Newport News, Virginia, the United States of America

4. Danell Leyva

Famous US male gymnasts
Danell Leyva, three-time USA gymnastics Olympic medalist, attends a viewing party of the Olympic Opening Ceremony hosted by the filmmakers of "Icarus" on 9 February 2018 in Hollywood, California. Photo: Rich Fury
Source: Getty Images

Leyva is a Cuban-American former artistic athlete who ranks as one of the most famous US male gymnasts. In 2012, he competed for the United States and won the individual all-around bronze, the 2016 Olympic parallel bars, and horizontal bar silver medals.

  • Full name: Danell Johan Leyva
  • Age: 31 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 30 October 1991
  • Place of birth: Matanzas, Cuba

3. Donell Whittenburg

Greatest US gymnast of all time
Donnell Whittenburg competes during the World Championships at M&S Bank Arena on 31 October 2022 in Liverpool, England. Photo: James Gill
Source: Getty Images

Donell is one of the most famous US Olympic gymnasts specializing in rings, vault, and floor events. He is one of the fast-rising athletes in America as of right now. The legend has two golds, seven silvers, and two bronze medals.

Donell's most successful year was in 2017, when he won silver medals in the FIG World Cup and FIG World Challenge Cup.

  • Full name: Donnell Whittenburg
  • Age: 28 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 18 August 1994
  • Place of birth: Baltimore, Maryland, the United States of America

2. Sam Mikulak

Famous female gymnasts in the USA
Samuel Mikulak competes at the pommel horse during Artistic competitions on day five of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games at Ariake Gymnastics Centre on 28 July 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Tom Weller
Source: Getty Images

Samuel is one of the most famous US male Olympic gymnasts in 2023. Following his experience, he participated in the 2012 men's competitions in London and rose to stardom as one of the best athletes in the country.

  • Full name: Samuel Anthony Mikulak
  • Age: 30 years of age as of April 2023
  • Date of birth: 13 October 1992
  • Place of birth: Huntington Beach, California, the United States of America

1. Simone Biles

Simone Biles is the greatest US gymnast of all time and also one of the most decorated in the sports industry. With her exceptional skills, she is a three-time World balance beam champion, two-time vault champion, and seven-time US all-around champion.

Biles has the most medals in the sport's history and is often regarded as the greatest of all time. At only 15, she proved she was the best in the league, and only great things are expected from her.

  • Full name: Simone Arianne Biles
  • Age: 26 years of age as of 2023
  • Date of birth: 14 March 1997
  • Place of birth: Columbus, Ohio, the United States of America
Famous US gymnasts
Olympian Simone Biles at NRG Stadium on 2 October 2022 in Houston, Texas. Photo: Bob Levey
Source: Getty Images

Who is the youngest US Olympic gymnast?

Dominique Moceanu joined the Olympics at 13 and became the youngest athlete to win an all-around title.

The most famous US gymnasts are a source of inspiration to the younger generation. Some of them, like Simone Biles, have proven that anyone can do whatever they want despite their age, race, and culture. And although there has been constant change in the rules and regulations of the sport, the best gymnasts have consistently proved that they deserve the spotlight.

READ ALSO: Who is the best gymnast in the world? A ranked top 10 list

Sports Brief compiled a list ranking the top 10 best gymnasts in the world. Gymnastics as a sport is more challenging than it may seem since it requires a lot of precision, coordination, and flexibility.

Globally, the sport is dominated by women who have worked hard enough and proved that they deserve the recognition and spotlight. Click on the link above to find more details about the best gymnasts in the world.

Authors
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Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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