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{{short description|American artistic gymnast}}
{{BLP sources|date=August 2008}}
{{Infobox gymnast
{{Infobox gymnast
|name= Raj Bhavsar
| name = Raj Bhavsar
|image=Raj Bhavsar.jpg
| image = Raj Bhavsar.jpg
| image_size =
|imagesize=150px
|caption=Bhavsar in 2008
| caption = Bhavsar in 2008
| full_name = Stephen Raj Bhavsar
|fullname= Raj Bhavsar<ref>Date of birth found on the ''[http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/txbirths?c=search&first=Raj&last=Bhavsar&spelling=Exact&11_year=&11_month=0&11_day=0&4=&14=&SubmitSearch.x=47&SubmitSearch.y=4 Texas Birth Index 1926-1995]'', under Bhavsar, Raj, on 7 September 1980.</ref>
| country = [[United States men's national artistic gymnastics team|United States]]
|nickname=
| regionsrepresented =
|country= {{USA}}
|formercountry=
| formercountry =
|birth_date= {{Birth date and age|1980|09|07}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|09|07}}
|birth_place= [[Houston]], [[Texas]]
| birth_place = [[Houston]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| death_date =
|hometown=
| death_place =
|death_date=
| hometown =
|death_place=
| residence =
|height=
| spouse =
|discipline= MAG
| training =
|level= Senior International
| height = 169 cm
|natlteam=
| weight = 54 kg
|club=
| discipline = MAG
|gym=Team Chevron/Houston Gymnastics Academy
| level =
|collegeteam=[[Ohio State University]]
| natlteam = 2001–2009
|headcoach= Kevin Mazekia, Miles Avery
| gym = Houston Gymnastics Academy<br />Team Chevron<br />Cypress Academy
|assistcoach=Doug Stibel, Dmitri Bilozerchev
| collegeteam = [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's gymnastics|Ohio State Buckeyes]]
|formercoach=
| headcoach = [[Kevin Mazekia]], [[Miles Avery]]
|choreographer=Arnold Kvetenadze
| assistcoach = Doug Stibel, Dmitri Bilozerchev
|music=
| formercoach =
|eponymousskills=
| eponymousskills = Bhavsar (Parallel bars)
|retired=
| retired =
|medaltemplates= <!-- see [[Template:MedalRelatedTemplates]] -->
| worldranking =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|gymnastics]]}}
| show-medals = yes
{{MedalCountry | the {{USA}} }}
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCompetition|[[Summer Olympics]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics - Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[artistic gymnastics]]}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[World Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalCount
|[[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]]|0|0|1
|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]|0|2|0
|[[Pan American Games]]|0|1|0
|[[Pacific Rim Championships]]|1|0|0
| total = yes
}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2008 Summer Olympics|2008 Beijing]]|[[Gymnastics at the 2008 Summer Olympics – Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|2001 Ghent]]|Team}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|2001 Ghent]]|Team}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|2003 Anaheim]]|Team}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|2003 Anaheim]]|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pan American Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1999 Pan American Games|1999 Winnipeg]]|Team}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1999 Pan American Games|1999 Winnipeg]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1999 Pan American Games – Men's artistic team all-around|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Pacific Rim Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2008 Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championships|2008 San Jose]]|Team}}
}}
}}


'''Raj Bhavsar''' (born September 7, 1980) is an American [[artistic gymnast]] of Indian (Gujarati) descent. He was a member of the 2001 and 2003 [[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Champion U.S. team]]. He earned a bronze medal as a member of the [[United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 U.S. Olympic Team]], becoming the third Indian-American ever to medal at the Olympics, after [[Mohini Bhardwaj]] and [[Alexi Grewal]]. He was originally an alternate, but was named to the team following the injury withdrawal of [[Paul Hamm]].<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/07/hamms-replaceme.html "Hamm's replacement named"] ''Los Angeles Times,'' July 28, 2008</ref> At the Games, Bhavsar earned a bronze medal with the U.S. team in [[Artistic Gymnastics]] with teammates [[Alexander Artemev]], [[Joey Hagerty]], [[Jonathan Horton]], [[Justin Spring]], and [[Kai Wen Tan]].
'''Stephen Raj Bhavsar''' (born September 7, 1980) is an American [[artistic gymnast]]. He was a member of the [[United States men's national artistic gymnastics team]] and competed at the 2001 and 2003 [[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships U.S. team]]. He earned a bronze medal as a member of the [[United States at the 2008 Summer Olympics|2008 U.S. Olympic Team]]. He was originally an alternate but was named to the team following the injury withdrawal of [[Paul Hamm]].<ref>[http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/07/hamms-replaceme.html "Hamm's replacement named"] ''Los Angeles Times,'' July 28, 2008</ref> At the Games, Bhavsar earned a bronze medal with the U.S. team in [[Artistic Gymnastics]] with teammates [[Alexander Artemev]], [[Joey Hagerty]], [[Jonathan Horton]], [[Justin Spring]], and [[Kai Wen Tan]].


He was a contender for the 2004 Olympic Team, and was named as an alternate.
He was a contender for the 2004 Olympic Team and was named as an alternate.


==Early life and education==
==Biography==
Bhavsar is the son of Jyotindra and Surekha Bhavsar.{{fact|date=October 2011}} He was born in [[Houston]].<ref>Oaklander, Mandy. ''[[Houston Press]]''. Tuesday August 16, 2011. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/08/indian_independence_day.php?page=2 2]. Retrieved on October 20, 2011.</ref> He was raised in [[Greater Houston]] and attended Bear Creek Elementary, Wolfe Elementary, Mayde Creek Junior High and Mayde Creek High School. During this time he trained at [[Cypress Academy of Gymnastics]] under his coach Bill Foster.
Raj Bhavsar is a [[Gujarati people|Gujarati]].<ref name=ig>{{cite news|url=http://www.intlgymnast.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=784:interview-raj-bhavsar-usa&catid=3:interviews&Itemid=56|title=IG Online Interview: Raj Bhavsar (USA)|first=John|last=Crumlish|date=2009-03-05|publisher=[[International Gymnast Magazine]]}}</ref> He is the son of Jyotindra and Surekha Bhavsar.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}} His father is from [[Vadodara]], [[Gujarat]], and his mother was born in [[Kampala]], [[Uganda]] but educated in Gujarat.<ref name=ig /> He was born in [[Houston]].<ref>Oaklander, Mandy. ''[[Houston Press]]''. Tuesday August 16, 2011. [http://blogs.houstonpress.com/hairballs/2011/08/indian_independence_day.php?page=2 2]. Retrieved on October 20, 2011.</ref> He was raised in [[Greater Houston]] and attended Bear Creek Elementary, Wolfe Elementary, Mayde Creek Junior High, and [[Mayde Creek High School]]. During this time he trained at Cypress Academy of Gymnastics under his coach Bill Foster.


==Gymnastics career==
Bhavsar was a member of the United States team to the [[2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]] and won the silver medal with the team. He won a second silver medal at the [[2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]].
Bhavsar was a member of the United States team at the [[2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]] and won the silver medal with the team. He won a second silver medal at the [[2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]].


At the 2004 Olympic Trials, he was in contention for the U.S. Olympic Team. He was named as an alternate. In 2004 he was first in the rings in the trials, and fourth overall in the national championships, yet was passed over. In 2008 he was third in the Olympic trials and the Visa Championships and again wound up an alternate to the 6-man team. This was due to the fact that his strongest events overlapped with those of [[Paul Hamm]] and [[Morgan Hamm]], and the team needed gymnasts who were stronger in other disciplines. After Paul Hamm was injured, Bhavsar was selected to the team which earned a bronze medal.
At the 2004 Olympic Trials, he was in contention for the U.S. Olympic Team. He was named as an alternate. In 2004 he was first in the rings in the trials, and fourth overall in the national championships, yet was passed over. In 2008 he was third in the Olympic trials and the Visa Championships and again wound up an alternate to the 6-man team. This was due to the fact that his strongest events overlapped with those of [[Paul Hamm]] and [[Morgan Hamm]], and the team needed gymnasts who were stronger in other disciplines. After Paul Hamm was injured, Bhavsar was selected to the team which earned a bronze medal.
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He attended [[Ohio State University]] and won the NCAA title with that team. He won the All-Around at the 2002 NCAA Championships.
He attended [[Ohio State University]] and won the NCAA title with that team. He won the All-Around at the 2002 NCAA Championships.


==Personal life==
Bhavsar is the creator of two new gymnastics elements, which are now named after him. "The Bhavsar" on the still rings was created in 2003. It is a front lever start with movement into a final position called a Maltese. "The Bhavsar" on parallel bars was created and performed in 2009 at the Moscow World Cup. This is a tkatchev style release move starting on one end of the bars and finishing on the other.
After achieving his goals as an Olympic gymnast, in 2010 Bhavsar started working for [[Cirque du Soleil]] as an artist for their performance show [[Iris (Cirque du Soleil)|Iris]] which debuted in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0CXMaYk1TE|title=A day in the life of Raj Bhavsar, artist on IRIS|publisher=Cirque du Soleil (Media)|accessdate=2011-04-13}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fulltwist.net/raj-bhavsar-joins-cirque-du-soleil/|title=Raj Bhavsar joins Cirque du Soleil|publisher=Full Twist|date=2010-12-15|accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref> His cousin, [[Akash Modi]], was also a member of the [[United States men's national artistic gymnastics team]].


==Eponymous skills==
After obtaining his goals as an Olympic gymnast, in 2010 Bhavsar started working for [[Cirque du Soleil]] as an artist for their performance show [[Iris (Cirque du Soleil)|Iris]] which debuted in July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0CXMaYk1TE|title=A day in the life of Raj Bhavsar, artist on IRIS|publisher=Cirque du Soleil (Media)|accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://fulltwist.net/raj-bhavsar-joins-cirque-du-soleil/|title=Raj Bhavsar joins Cirque du Soleil|publisher=Full Twist|date=2010-12-15|accessdate=2011-04-13}}</ref>
Bhavsar currently has one named element on the parallel bars and one formerly named element on the rings.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/site/pdf/mag_named_elements.pdf |title=Table of Named Elements Men's Artistic Gymnastics |date=December 2023 |website=gymnastics.sport |access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref><ref name='magcop25'>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20MAG%20CoP%202025-2028.pdf |title=Men's Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028 |date=July 3, 2024 |website=gymnastics.sport |access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|+Gymnastics elements named after Raj Bhavsar
|-
!scope="col"| Apparatus
!scope="col"| Name
!scope="col"| Description
!scope="col"| Difficulty{{efn|name=difficulty|Valid for the 2025–2028 Code of Points}}
!scope="col"| Added to Code of Points
|-
| Parallel bars
| '''''Bhavsar'''''
| "Swing forward, straddle cut backward, and regrasp with straight body at horizontal."
| align=center|E, 0.5
| 2009. Performed at the [[2009 FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Cup series|2009 Moscow World Stars]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2009/6/3/mgym-former-buckeye-shows-off-original-skill-at-world-competition |title=MGYM: Former Buckeye Shows Off Original Skill at World Competition – Ohio State Buckeyes |date=June 3, 2009 |website=ohiostatebuckeyes.com |access-date=August 13, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| Rings
| '''''Bhavsar'''''
| "Pull with straight body and arms through moment. front lever to swallow (2s.)."
| align=center|Removed from CoP on December 31, 2021.
| align=center|2001
|}
{{notelist}}


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{Portalbox|Houston|Gymnastics|Biography}}
{{Portal|Texas|Biography}}
* {{Fig|id=1120|name=Raj Bhavsar}}
* {{Sports links}}
* [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/2008-08-11-bhavsar_N.htm USA's Bhavasar finally realizes his dream] at [http://USATODAY.COM USATODAY.COM]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/2008-08-11-bhavsar_N.htm USA's Bhavasar finally realizes his dream] at [http://USATODAY.COM USATODAY.COM]


{{Footer 2008 Olympic Bronze Medalists Gymnastics Men}}
{{Footer USA Gymnastics 2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{Navboxes

|title = NCAA Championships for Raj Bhavsar
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
|titlestyle = {{CollegePrimaryStyle|Ohio State Buckeyes|color=white}}
| NAME = Bhavsar, Raj
|list =
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
{{Footer NCAA Gymnastics All-Around Champions (Men)}}
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Gymnast
{{Footer NCAA Gymnastics Parallel Bars Champions (Men)}}
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1980-09-07
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Houston]], [[Texas]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhavsar, Raj}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bhavsar, Raj}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American male artistic gymnasts]]
[[Category:American male artistic gymnasts]]
[[Category:Medalists at World Gymnastics Championships]]
[[Category:Medalists at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Gymnasts at the 1999 Pan American Games]]
[[Category:Gymnasts at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Gymnasts at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:People from Houston, Texas]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Houston]]
[[Category:Ohio State University alumni]]
[[Category:Ohio State University alumni]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American sportspeople of Indian descent]]
[[Category:Olympic gymnasts of the United States]]
[[Category:American people of Indian descent]]
[[Category:American Hindus]]
[[Category:American Hindus]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Gujarati people]]

[[Category:American people of Gujarati descent]]
[[it:Raj Bhavsar]]
[[Category:Gymnasts at the 1999 Pan American Games]]
[[pt:Raj Bhavsar]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1999 Pan American Games]]
[[uk:Радж Бхавсар]]
[[Category:Pan American Games silver medalists for the United States in gymnastics]]
[[zh:拉杰·巴夫萨尔]]
[[Category:Originators of elements in artistic gymnastics]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 13:58, 4 September 2024

Raj Bhavsar
Bhavsar in 2008
Personal information
Full nameStephen Raj Bhavsar
Country representedVereinigte Staaten
Born (1980-09-07) September 7, 1980 (age 44)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight54 kg (119 lb)
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
Years on national team2001–2009
GymHouston Gymnastics Academy
Team Chevron
Cypress Academy
College teamOhio State Buckeyes
Head coach(es)Kevin Mazekia, Miles Avery
Assistant coach(es)Doug Stibel, Dmitri Bilozerchev
Eponymous skillsBhavsar (Parallel bars)
Medal record
Representing  Vereinigte Staaten
Men's artistic gymnastics
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Olympic Games 0 0 1
World Championships 0 2 0
Pan American Games 0 1 0
Pacific Rim Championships 1 0 0
Total 1 3 1
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing Team
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2001 Ghent Team
Silver medal – second place 2003 Anaheim Team
Pan American Games
Silver medal – second place 1999 Winnipeg Team
Pacific Rim Championships
Gold medal – first place 2008 San Jose Team

Stephen Raj Bhavsar (born September 7, 1980) is an American artistic gymnast. He was a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team and competed at the 2001 and 2003 World Championships U.S. team. He earned a bronze medal as a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team. He was originally an alternate but was named to the team following the injury withdrawal of Paul Hamm.[1] At the Games, Bhavsar earned a bronze medal with the U.S. team in Artistic Gymnastics with teammates Alexander Artemev, Joey Hagerty, Jonathan Horton, Justin Spring, and Kai Wen Tan.

He was a contender for the 2004 Olympic Team and was named as an alternate.

Early life and education

[edit]

Raj Bhavsar is a Gujarati.[2] He is the son of Jyotindra and Surekha Bhavsar.[citation needed] His father is from Vadodara, Gujarat, and his mother was born in Kampala, Uganda but educated in Gujarat.[2] He was born in Houston.[3] He was raised in Greater Houston and attended Bear Creek Elementary, Wolfe Elementary, Mayde Creek Junior High, and Mayde Creek High School. During this time he trained at Cypress Academy of Gymnastics under his coach Bill Foster.

Gymnastics career

[edit]

Bhavsar was a member of the United States team at the 2001 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and won the silver medal with the team. He won a second silver medal at the 2003 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

At the 2004 Olympic Trials, he was in contention for the U.S. Olympic Team. He was named as an alternate. In 2004 he was first in the rings in the trials, and fourth overall in the national championships, yet was passed over. In 2008 he was third in the Olympic trials and the Visa Championships and again wound up an alternate to the 6-man team. This was due to the fact that his strongest events overlapped with those of Paul Hamm and Morgan Hamm, and the team needed gymnasts who were stronger in other disciplines. After Paul Hamm was injured, Bhavsar was selected to the team which earned a bronze medal.

He attended Ohio State University and won the NCAA title with that team. He won the All-Around at the 2002 NCAA Championships.

Personal life

[edit]

After achieving his goals as an Olympic gymnast, in 2010 Bhavsar started working for Cirque du Soleil as an artist for their performance show Iris which debuted in July 2011.[4][5] His cousin, Akash Modi, was also a member of the United States men's national artistic gymnastics team.

Eponymous skills

[edit]

Bhavsar currently has one named element on the parallel bars and one formerly named element on the rings.[6][7]

Gymnastics elements named after Raj Bhavsar
Apparatus Name Description Difficulty[a] Added to Code of Points
Parallel bars Bhavsar "Swing forward, straddle cut backward, and regrasp with straight body at horizontal." E, 0.5 2009. Performed at the 2009 Moscow World Stars[8]
Rings Bhavsar "Pull with straight body and arms through moment. front lever to swallow (2s.)." Removed from CoP on December 31, 2021. 2001
  1. ^ Valid for the 2025–2028 Code of Points

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hamm's replacement named" Los Angeles Times, July 28, 2008
  2. ^ a b Crumlish, John (2009-03-05). "IG Online Interview: Raj Bhavsar (USA)". International Gymnast Magazine.
  3. ^ Oaklander, Mandy. Houston Press. Tuesday August 16, 2011. 2. Retrieved on October 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "A day in the life of Raj Bhavsar, artist on IRIS". Cirque du Soleil (Media). Retrieved 2011-04-13.[dead YouTube link]
  5. ^ "Raj Bhavsar joins Cirque du Soleil". Full Twist. 2010-12-15. Retrieved 2011-04-13.
  6. ^ "Table of Named Elements Men's Artistic Gymnastics" (PDF). gymnastics.sport. December 2023. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "Men's Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points 2025–2028" (PDF). gymnastics.sport. July 3, 2024. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "MGYM: Former Buckeye Shows Off Original Skill at World Competition – Ohio State Buckeyes". ohiostatebuckeyes.com. June 3, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
[edit]
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