Coming from a South American country and winning an Olympic medal in men’s gymnastics isn’t exactly a regular occurrence. In fact, before the 2012 London Olympics, nobody had ever seen a Latin American gymnast take home Olympic gold in artistic gymnastics. But hey, miracles happen, right? Thirteen years ago, one gymnast from São Caetano do Sul decided to rewrite the narrative. Against all odds, he claimed the Olympic gold in the men’s rings final at the London Olympics—the first in Latin American gymnastics history. And now, that gymnast’s incredible journey has reached its final chapter. After serving the sport for 18 long years, Arthur Zanetti has officially hung up his boots.

On January 12, Time Brasil took to Instagram to break the emotional news. Their post said it all: “Your legacy goes far beyond your achievements. The hoop specialist is a reference of resilience and inspiration for future generations of gymnasts. May the next chapters of your life bring as much joy as you brought to Brazil.” And let’s be real, Zanetti brought joy a lot of times, not just once or twice.

In the London Olympics, he scripted history by winning the gold in the men’s rings event. Furthermore, his victory brought a change in the world order in men’s gymnastics. How? In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China had nine golds. But in London, the Chinese gymnastics squad amassed only two gold medals. The squad lost one sure shot to Arthur Zanetti. Credit goes to his resilience and determination to promote the gymnastics prospects of an entire continent. In London, he had to counter someone who had been the most favorite to win the rings event. Yet Zanetti didn’t lose hope. 

Coming off winning Olympic gold in the same week, Chinese captain Chen Yibling entered the rings event in London as the favorite. Chen was the defending champion in the event and had lost only one international competition since 2006. He was slated to retire after the final event in the London Olympics. However, Zanetti proved himself too much for the Lord of the Rings (Chen was widely regarded by that name). He secured the gold medal while Chen took the silver. It was the Brazilian gymnast’s sweet revenge after facing a defeat from Chen in the 2011 World Gymnastics Championships. However, Arthur didn’t see the moment in that way. For him, it was something pivotal, efficient enough to let the next generation of his country take motivation from it. 

At 22, Arthur did something that his country could never think of before. He had the Olympic gold medal around his neck. The achievement, ultimately, increased his responsibility. What was that? Right after winning the laurel, he said, “I hope this medal will open lots of doors for all the gymnasts in Brazil.” Along with that, he knew that four years later, his country would host the Olympics. As the monumental champion, he had inherited some responsibilities, though. Shedding light on that, Zanetti claimed, “I hope that in Rio we’ll be able to have a full team, in order to defend this title and fight for others on home soil.” But in Rio, he would be 26, a super senior in a sport like gymnastics. Wouldn’t that work negatively for him? 

No. In the next four years, the Sao Paulo native heaped up medals from the World Gymnastics Championships, Pan American Games, Pan American Championships, South American Games, and Summer Universiade. In the end, during the Rio Olympics, Arthur Zanetti gave it everything he had to defend his rings title. He was ready to keep the saga alive. But Eleftherios Petrounias had other plans. The Greek gymnast claimed gold in the final, while Zanetti settled for silver—an ending not unlike Chen Yibing’s fate when Zanetti himself rose to glory in London. Poetic, isn’t it? Still, silver at home in Rio was nothing short of heroic.

After Rio, Zanetti wasn’t done yet. He kept setting new milestones, but Tokyo 2021 proved to be his toughest challenge. In the rings final, victory—and even a podium spot—eluded him. It wasn’t the fairytale ending he had hoped for. By 2023, he was gearing up for the World Gymnastics Championships, but life had other plans, and he missed the event. Now, at 34, Zanetti is among the retired Olympians who dared to dream beyond constraints and craft a fable. And he did just that. Along the way, other gymnasts followed the route he paved, achieving milestones of their own and keeping his legacy alive.

Men’s gymnastics has witnessed a few more daredevils who followed in his footsteps!

Stephen Nedoroscik and Carlos Yulo, the two gymnasts, recorded almost a similar story in the Paris Olympics. Nedoroscik, a Penn State gymnastics alum, ignored his irreparable eye issues to snag an Olympic medal on the pommel horse—a huge moment, marking Team USA’s first individual men’s gymnastics medal since Rio 2016. But he didn’t stop there. In the team final, Nedoroscik delivered clutch performances, helping the U.S. men’s squad claim bronze—their first team medal since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He sure earned that title, becoming the “Pommel Horse Guy.” Carlos Yulo, meanwhile, was busy making history of his own.

In the Paris Olympics, the 24-year-old Filipino gymnast entered as a dark horse. He was the favorite to claim one or two medals. But two golds back to back? That could have been the wildest dream! Nonetheless, Yulo made that real. First, his flawless routine in the floor exercise earned him the gold. With that, he became the first Filipino gymnast to win Olympic gold. The very next day, Yulo stormed back into the vault final and took home another gold. Just like that, a new fairy tale unfolded in men’s gymnastics. What do you think? Which story tugs at your heart the most—Nedoroscik’s grit, Yulo’s dream run, or Zanetti’s legacy? Let us know!