Viktoriia Onopriienko Performs a ‘Smooth Criminal’ Ball Routine at Tokyo 2020

Viktoriia Onopriienko performs a rhythmic-gymnastics ball routine to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” at Tokyo 2020.

The Olympics’ video identifies Onopriienko as a Ukrainian gymnast making her Olympic debut, with the ball used as her apparatus. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The red ball remains a visible focus through throws, catches and changes in contact with the gymnast’s body. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The competition floor gives her movement space as she turns and travels through the routine. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The full recording follows transitions between skills as the apparatus and gymnast move together. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

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The song provides a recognizable rhythmic framework for the routine’s movements. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Throws and catches are part of a larger sequence, including the movements that lead into and out of each skill. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Changes in level and balance give successive sections different visual shapes. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The ball’s path links releases, movement and returns to the gymnast’s control. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The still image captures one moment, while the video shows how it connects with the full routine. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Rhythmic gymnastics brings apparatus handling and choreographed movement together with music. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The Olympic setting identifies this as a competition performance rather than an exhibition. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Onopriienko’s hoop routine offers another apparatus performance by the same gymnast. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Taisiia Onofriichuk’s “Thriller” routine presents a separate Jackson-themed gymnastics reference. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

The routine combines a familiar song with the specific physical demands of ball work. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

Following the full sequence preserves the transitions and timing across the competition floor. The complete recording shows how the details fit the event. The full sequence helps the viewer follow how the parts work together.

More videos to explore

Onopriienko’s hoop video shows a separate routine with another apparatus.

Taisiia Onofriichuk performs a different Michael Jackson song in her “Thriller” routine.

Further reading: Performance background and source. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-jCrhZKmxU