Hecht

/hɛkt/ noun

Definition

A gymnastics move where the body is stretched in an extended arch position while in flight, often seen in aerial events.

Etymology

Named after German gymnast Jochen Hecht who popularized this move in the 1980s-1990s. In gymnastics, complex moves are often named after the athletes who first performed them at the highest level.

Kelly Says

In gymnastics, many moves are named after athletes who debuted them—there's a 'Yurchenko,' a 'Thomas,' a 'Karolyi'! The hecht is named after someone who made it look so graceful that it became his signature move, and now every gymnast learns it.

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