Leon Stukelj Outstanding Yugoslav gymnast Date of Birth: 12.11.1898 Country: Slovenia

1. Biography of Leon Štukel - a Legendary Yugoslavian Gymnast
2. Early Success in Gymnastics
3. Olympic Triumph and Continued Success
4. Life After Gymnastics
5. Later Years and Legacy

Biography of Leon Štukel - a Legendary Yugoslavian Gymnast

Leon Štukel was an exceptional Yugoslavian gymnast, noted for being the only representative from Yugoslavia to become a three-time Olympic champion. He participated in three Summer Olympics and won five world championships.

Early Success in Gymnastics

In 1922, Štukel qualified for the World Gymnastics Championship and emerged as a three-time champion, winning gold medals in the rings, horizontal bar, and parallel bars. In 1924, at the Olympic Games in Paris, Štukel claimed two gold medals and became the overall champion. He also excelled in the horizontal bar event. In the 1926 World Championship, he won two more gold medals, solidifying his status as a five-time world champion.

Olympic Triumph and Continued Success

In 1928, at the Amsterdam Olympics, Štukel won the gold medal in the rings event. He also earned two bronze medals in the all-around competition and as part of the Yugoslavian team. Due to the high cost of travel to the 1932 Olympics in the United States, the Yugoslavian Olympic team was represented by only one athlete, discus thrower Velko Narančič, who funded his own trip.

Štukel, at the age of 38, participated in the 1936 Olympics, winning his sixth medal, a silver, in the rings event. After the games, he retired from competitive gymnastics.

Life After Gymnastics

Following his retirement, Štukel pursued a career in law, having obtained his legal education in 1927. He started working as a judge in his hometown of Novo Mesto and later relocated to Maribor. However, after World War II, Štukel did not support the socialist regime in Yugoslavia and was briefly imprisoned. Despite losing his legal positions, he continued to work as an assistant lawyer until his retirement.

Later Years and Legacy

In 1996, Štukel participated in the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta as the oldest living Olympic gold medalist. He also took part in the gymnast award ceremonies during the games. In 1997, he was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. In 1998, Štukel's 100th birthday became a major national celebration in Slovenia. The legendary athlete passed away in 1999, just four days before his 101st birthday.