Gymnastics

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam veteran Phạm Phước Hưng has once again got a new skill to bear his name in the men’s Code of Points at the ongoing World Gymnastics Championship in Montreal, Canada.

On Tuesday, Hưng presented an element in the men’s rings event of level E difficulty (the highest level is H).

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) describes it is slow roll forward with straight body and arms through cross to swallow (two seconds).

Such a technique has been performed for the first time in the world, therefore FIG has named it "The Pham."

Previously, Hưng’s element was recognised in 2015 at the world tournament in Scotland, also during the rings event.

The first element was of D level.

The Vietnamese pulled with straight arms and body through a momentary front lever through cross to support the scale for two seconds.

Hưng, 29, is one of the Việt Nam’s most successful gymnasts. He is the second athlete with elements submitted to FIG.

Earlier, his teammate Nguyễn Tuấn Đạt shared the honour with Japanese Kenzo Shirai, when both presented an element of a quad-twisting back layout on floor during the 2013 world tournament. Their technique was named Shirai Nguyen.

In Canada, seven new elements have been named after athletes. Other elements went to athletes from Austria, Kazakhstan, Dominica and Romania, as well as New Zealand and Japan.

The Vietnamese athletes competed in the world tournament, but only Hưng earned a reserve position in the parallel bar category.

The tournament will close on October 8. — VNS