The 15 most gravity-defying gymnastics moments from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

How do they do it?
 By 
Elena Cavender
 on 
The 15 most gravity-defying gymnastics moments from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
Jennifer Gadirova of Team Great Britain defies gravity on balance beam. Credit: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

Every four years the Olympics serves as a reminder that the human body has remarkable capabilities. And gymnastics is one of the most physically challenging, visually stunning sports around.

Since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics kicked off on July 23, we've seen astonishing displays of strength, grace, and agility. We collected photos of 15 of the most mind-blowing gymnastics moments so far to help you relive the highlights.

1. Japan's Kazuma Kaya creates a perfect V on parallel bars

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Look at that concentration! Credit: Martin bureau / AFP via Getty Images

2. Lu Yufei of Team China gracefully levitates during her floor routine

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Yufei Lu and DaBaby? Credit: Amin mohammad / Getty Images

3. Artur Dalaloyan of Team ROC flips in the air on horizontal bar

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So much potential energy in one image. Credit: Laurence griffiths / Getty Images

4. Asia D'Amato of Team Italy upside down over beam

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Can you do the splits? Credit: Ezra shaw / Getty Images

5. Takeru Kitazono of Team Japan slices through the air

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He's soaring, flying... Credit: Fred lee / Getty Images

6. USA's Sunisa Lee lunges into the air during her floor routine

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No, she isn't photoshopped. Credit: Jamie squire / Getty Images

7. Samuel Mikulak of Team USA takes the cannon ball to the next level during his floor exercise

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If only there was a pool beneath him. Credit: patrick smith / Getty Images

8. Jennifer Gadirova of Team Great Britain hovers over balance beam

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Wow! Credit: Laurence griffiths / Getty Images

9. USA's Brody Malone reaches for horizontal bar

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Oh, nbd! Credit: Laurence griffiths / Getty Images

10. USA's Grace McCallum flies between uneven bars

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Birds are jealous. Credit: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images

11. Japan's Takeru Kitazono spins through the air during his floor exercise

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We're getting dizzy just thinking about it. Credit: Fred lee / Getty Images

12. Angelina Melnikova of Team ROC wows on beam

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Stressful! Credit: amin mohammad jamali / Getty Images

13. Takeru Kitazono of Japan is all angles on the pommel horse

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Does anyone have a protractor? Credit: Kaz Photography / Getty Images

14. Nina Derwael of Belgium balances on the beam in such a way that she appears headless

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Where is her head? Credit: Iris van den Broek/BSR Agency / Getty Images

15. Angelina Melnikova of Team ROC soars through the air during her floor exercise

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Absolutely stunning. Credit: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images

Topics Olympics

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Elena Cavender

Elena is a tech reporter and the resident Gen Z expert at Mashable. She covers TikTok and digital trends. She recently graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in American History. Email her at [email protected] or follow her @ecaviar_.

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