Wheel gymnastics

Aachen (1996)
RollAix Performers on ice, RWTH Aache U. (2009)

Russian circus performer (2009)
Würzburg (1931)

Wheel gymnastics (German: Rhönradturnen) is a form of gymnastics that originated in Germany.

Wheel gymnasts do exercises in a large wheel or hoop known as the Rhönrad, gymnastics wheel, gym wheel, or German wheel, in the beginning also known as ayro wheel, aero wheel, and Rhon rod. The large wheel consists of two circles, which are connected with six spokes. The diameter of the wheel depends on the length of the gymnast, so that the gymnast can hold himself on the grips when fully stretched. The wheels are available from a diameter of 130 to 245cm. The wheels weigh between 40 and 60 kg. They are available in several depths and colors.

History

The wheel was invented in 1925 by Otto Feick in Schönau an der Brend. The grandson of a blacksmith, Feick was inspired by the memory of an event from his childhood in Reichenbach, when he had tied sticks between two hoops that his grandfather had made and rolled down a hill.[1]

He filed for a patent as "wheel-gymnastic and sports equipment". He had invented the wheel in Ludwigshafen am Rhein ca. 1920-1922, on the grounds of the VSK Germania, a sports club, of which he was the founding chairman. The patent was issued on 8 November 1925; the name "Rhönrad" has been registered and protected since 1926 ("Rhön" is the name of the mountain region where the wheel was invented).

The Rhönrahd was featured at the GeSoLei trade fair held in Düsseldorf in 1926.[2]

In 1936, this sport was shown at the Olympic Games in Berlin, but was not presented as an Olympic discipline.

The focus of wheel gymnastics remains largely in Germany.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Jaedicke, Thomas (8 November 2015). "Patent für zwei Reifen und sechs Sprossen" [Patent For Two Hoops and Six Cross-bars]. Deutschlandfunk (in German). Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "Wir in den wilden Zwanzigern - Goldene Jahre (2/2)". wdr (in German). WDR. 22 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
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