Event
Uneven Bars

Skill type
Transition (high-to-low)

Known as
Pak
Pak salto

Named for
Pak Gyong Sil (PRK)

About
Due to the increased importance of Shaposhnikova-type skills in garnering valuable combination bonus, the popularity of the Pak salto—which has gymnasts facing the correct direction to perform Shaposh skills—has risen dramatically since 2013, giving it a near-ubiquitous presence in top uneven bars routines and displacing the bail handstand as the most commonly performed transition element on bars.

The Pak is among the exclusive club of skills that are referred to solely and exclusively by their namesake and never, ever through a description of the skill. Have you every heard someone call this a back layout from high bar to low bar? No, it’s always Pak. Because that’s a lot more succinct.

Value
D