Eliminated by the International Gymnastics Federation.
But why?
… the FIG technical committee went in the direction of seeking a more rational and objective way to judge gymnastics. The first target was to eliminate certain articles that may have caused confusion or uncertainty in judging such as eliminating bonus awards for virtuosity and originality….
This from a 2000 article written by Japanese gymnastics coach Harumi Minusa. His article, 9yrs-ago, is called How We Must Develop the Sport of Gymnastics for the Future.
Well Professor. Things are much worse today than in 2000.
Gymblog had a revealing look at the state of international gymnastics – Bad form at the American Cup. It includes photos of some of the best gymnasts in the world.
Most international pommel horse routines are a string of poorly executed difficulty parts. Little girls are forced to throw every BIG skill they’ve ever learned on beam.
Is there no way to bring back virtuosity?
VIRTUOSITY is the highest demonstration of athletic ability. Virtuosity may be given for individual element and connections but also for the total exercise.
Virtuosity … may appear anywhere, regardless of the degree of difficulty, and may be seen in the most simple or the most difficult movement. …
In lower level age-group routines we had a simple definition of the virtuosity bonus. If any skill or routine and any given level made the judge go “Wow”, we could award an extra 0.1 …
The quality of the movement had to be conspicuously superior to similar movements from other competitors at that meet.
original article – Technique – How We Must Develop the Sport of Gymnastics for the Future
Gymnastics Coaching.com 