The front lever is a gymnastic move - a static hold normally performed on the still rings. A front lever is performed by lowering from an inverted hang until the body is completely horizontal and straight with the front of the body facing upwards. An accomplished gymnast may also pull directly into the horizontal position from a dead hang. Front levers require a high degree of back and core strength.
The move is rated A in the gymnastic code of points, a scale from A to F, with F being the most difficult. In the 1960s it was rated B, when the levels of difficulty were A, B, C. (Clearly, body length is a factor. It is possible that world class gymnasts are shorter now than during mid 20th century: The top American gymnast in 1956 was John Beckner - 6' 1", whereas the 2004 Olympic champion American gymnast, Paul Hamm, is 5' 4".)
Read more about Front Lever: Variations
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