Gymn Forum: Kurt Thomas Biography

Kurt Thomas (USA)

1978 and 1979 World FX Champion

Medal Total

World Championships: 3 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze
World Cup: 3 Silver, 2 Bronze

Kurt was born in 1956 in Miami, FL, and began gymnastics at age 14 at Miami Central High School. He was a quick learner and by 1976 he made the US Olympic team. At the 1978 World Championships he won gold on floor exercise. A few months later at the World Cup, he finished 2nd AA and won another 3 medals in event finals. The following year at the World Championships, Thomas led the team to a bronze medal and won 5 individual medals (2 gold and 3 silver). He was expected to win several medals at the 1980 Olympics but never got the chance to compete because of the US-led boycott. Thomas retired from competitive gymnastics but stayed involved in the sport, performing in a professional gymnastics show and doing commentary for ABC Sports. In 1991 he made a comeback -- at the age of 35. Today, he owns Kurt Thomas Gymnastics Center in Frisco, TX. He and his wife, Beckie, have a son, age 6, and a daughter, age 4.

Competition Results

1972
AAU Jr. Olympic Senior Nationals: 4th AA

1973
AAU Jr. Olympic Senior Nationals: 1st AA
Greater Miami Gymnastics Champs: 1st AA, 1st FX, 1st PH, 1st R, 1st PB

1975
Blume Memorial: 3rd AA
Elite Championships: 10th AA
NCAA Championships: 9th AA
Pan American Games: 3rd AA, 2nd PH, 2nd V, 3rd HB
Pan American Games Trials: 2nd AA

1976
NCAA Championships: 4th AA
Olympics: 7th Team, 21st AA
Third Olympic Qualifying Meet: 3rd AA
USA Olympic Trials: 1st AA
USA-ROM Dual Meet: 1st Team, 4th AA

1977
American Cup: 2nd AA
Blume Memorial: 1st AA
Chunichi Cup: 5th AA
International Champs. of Romania: 1st AA
Mardi Gras Invitational: 1st AA
NCAA Championships: 1st AA, 1st PB, 3rd FX, 3rd PH
University Games: 5th Team, 9th AA
USA Championships: 1st AA, 1st FX, 1st HB, 2nd R, 2nd PB, 3rd PH
USA-FRG-HUN-FRA: 2nd AA

1978
American Cup: 1st AA
Champions All: 1st AA
International Championships of Romania: 1st AA, 1st PH, 1st PB, 2nd FX, 4th HB, 8th V
USA Championships: 1st AA
USA World Trials: 1st AA
USA-JPN Dual Meet: 1st Team, 1st AA
USA-SUI-NOR Meet: 1st Team, 1st AA
Windy City Invitational: 1st AA, 1st FX, 1st V, 1st PB, 2nd PH, 3rd R
World Championships: 4th Team, 6th AA, 1st FX
World Cup: 2nd AA, 2nd FX, 2nd HB, 3rd PH, 4th PB, 5th R, 7th V

1979
Albuquerque Invitational: 1st AA
American Cup: 1st AA
Mardi Gras Invitational: 1st AA
NCAA Championships: 1st AA, 1st PB, 1st HB, 2nd R, 3rd PH
Pacific Championships: 1st AA
US Olympic Festival: 1st AA, 1st PH, 2nd R, 2nd PB, 2nd HB
USA World Trials: 2nd AA
World Championships: 3rd Team, 2nd AA, 1st FX, 1st HB, 2nd PH, 2nd PB
World Cup: 4th AA, 3rd PH, 5th HB, 6th FX, 8th PB

1980
American Cup: 1st AA

1991
USA Championships: 22nd AA

1992
USA Championships: 16th AA (optionals only), 6th PB
US Olympic Trials: 16th AA