1952: The Men’s Compulsories Competition at the Olympics

The men’s artistic gymnastics competition at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics began with a record 29 nations participating. With so many competitors, organizers had to divide the compulsory rounds across two days and three groups, with the first group featuring Olympic favorites such as the Soviet Union, Switzerland, and the host nation, Finland. Excitement filled the Helsinki Exhibition Hall on Saturday morning—before the Olympics officially opened—as fans, judges, and journalists gathered to see the medal favorites. The stakes were high, the nerves palpable, and many believed the final team standings would be largely decided by day’s end.

And they weren’t wrong. From the Swiss press to German technical reports, all agreed: the compulsory routines were the decisive battleground. The Soviet gymnasts, competing for the first time in Olympic history, made an immediate impression, flexing both their power and consistency, especially on rings and pommel horse. But the Swiss weren’t going down quietly, turning in spectacular parallel bars routines that reminded everyone why they were world champions. What unfolded wasn’t just a competition; it was a clash of styles playing out on gymnastics’ grandest stage.

Here’s more than you ever wanted to know about the men’s compulsories in Helsinki…

Dr. Savolainen of Finland on rings at the 1952 Olympics

Historical Context

To help you get situated, here are a few events that happened in 1952:

In February, King George VI passed away, and Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh, became Queen Elizabeth II.
On March 3, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a New York state law that prohibited communists from teaching in public schools. (Reminder: The Soviet Union was competing at the Olympics for the first time.)
Days later, on March 10, Fulgencio Batista took power in Cuba in a coup.
The Allied occupation of Japan ended through the Treaty of San Francisco, which came into force on April 28, 1952.
In the world of books, Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea and John Steinbeck’s East of Eden.

Gymnastics Context

Not your type of history? No problem. Here’s some gymnastics history to help you get situated.

The Soviet Union

The Soviet Union had competed in international competitions like the 1937 Workers’ Olympiad.
The Soviet Union became affiliated with the FIG in 1949 — even before becoming a member of the IOC in 1951.
At the 1952 Olympics, Soviet gymnasts competed at a major FIG event for the first time.
For more on the Soviet Union’s entrance into the Olympics, check out this post.

Prior to the Soviet Union’s participation, Switzerland and Finland dominated the post-WWII gymnastics world.

The 1948 Olympic Champions

Team: Finland
All-Around: Veikko Huhtanen, Finland
Floor Exercise: Ferenc Pataki, Hungary
Pommel Horse: Paavo Aaltonen, Finland; Veikko Huhtanen, Finland; Heikki Savolainen, Finland
Rings: Karl Frei, Switzerland
Vault: Paavo Aaltonen, Finland
Parallel Bars: Michael Reusch, Switzerland
High Bar: Josef Stalder, Switzerland

The 1950 World Champions

Team: Switzerland
All-Around: Walter Lehmann, Switzerland
Floor Exercise: Josef Stalder, Switzerland; Ernst Gebendinger, Switzerland
Pommel Horse: Josef Stalder, Switzerland
Rings: Walter Lehmann, Switzerland
Vault: Ernst Gebendinger, Switzerland
Parallel Bars: Hans Eugster, Switzerland (he scored a perfect 10)
High Bar: Paavo Aaltonen, Finland
Reminder: The 1950 World Championships included track and field events as part of the program

Other helpful tidbits

You can find the compulsory routines here, and you can find the 1949 Code of Points here.

Dates for Compulsories

Saturday, July 19, 1952 – Group 1 at 7:30 am
Sunday, July 20, 1952 – Group 2 at 8:00 am and Group 3 at 4:00 pm
Note: The Men’s Technical Committee had to add an extra day to the program to accommodate the large number of men’s teams that attended the Olympics.

Standings after Compulsories

Team Leaders – Top 12

CTRY	FX	SR	PH	VT	PB	HB	Total
1. URS	46.15	47.95	48.75	46.35	47.80	47.35	284.35
2. SUI	43.85	46.50	47.50	47.15	48.50	48.35	281.85
3. FIN	46.20	46.45	46.30	46.45	46.75	48.25	280.40
4. GER	43.70	45.90	47.50	46.65	47.50	48.00	279.25
5. TCH	45.65	47.00	46.90	46.15	46.85	45.95	278.50
6. HUN	45.85	45.85	47.25	46.20	46.60	46.25	278.00
7. JPN	46.75	45.45	45.00	47.20	46.65	46.65	277.70
8. BUL	45.25	46.40	45.60	45.45	45.55	45.60	273.85
9. USA	42.90	43.80	45.40	46.35	45.95	46.90	271.30
10. POL	45.70	45.40	43.70	45.15	44.55	44.70	269.20
11. ITA	43.75	45.40	46.00	44.85	45.10	43.45	268.55
12. AUT	42.00	41.65	44.95	46.35	46.35	45.10	266.40

Note: The official results did not list the apparatus in today’s Olympic order, so please pay attention to the column headers.

Individual Leaders – Top 10

Gymnast	CTRY	FX	SR	PH	VT	PB	HB	Total
1. Stalder Josef	SUI	9.15	9.45	9.65	9.45	9.80	9.65	57.15
2T. Shahinyan Hrant	URS	9.30	9.80	9.90	9.05	9.50	9.45	57.00
2T. Muratov Valentin	URS	9.35	9.45	9.70	9.25	9.55	9.65	57.00
4. Chukarin Viktor	URS	8.65	9.65	9.70	9.45	9.80	9.60	56.85
5. Daniš Ferdinand	TCH	9.40	9.45	9.55	9.35	9.70	9.10	56.60
6T. Bantz Helmut	GER	8.95	9.35	9.40	9.40	9.60	9.65	56.40
6T. Tschabold Jean	SUI	8.95	9.15	9.55	9.45	9.65	9.65	56.40
8. Kaneko Akimoto	JPN	9.30	9.40	9.35	9.25	9.50	9.50	56.30
9. Berdiev Iosif	URS	9.25	9.50	9.55	9.30	9.45	9.20	56.25
10. Eugster Hans	SUI	8.40	9.60	9.25	9.40	9.85	9.65	56.15

Commentary from the Time

URS | SUI | FIN | GER | TCH | JPN | USA | SWE

General Commentary

Saturday morning kicked off with Group 1, which was basically the Olympic A-listers.

Reminder: When the competition started at 7:30 am, the sun would have been up for roughly three hours already. The joys of Helsinki in July!

On Saturday morning, the most eagerly awaited competition of artistic gymnasts began in the Helsinki Exhibition Hall with the completion of the compulsory program by the teams assigned to Group 1. The record number of 27 nations* entered in the men’s gymnastics competition made it necessary to divide the teams into three groups and spread the compulsory gymnastics over two days. Group 1 contained all the Olympic favorites with the exception of Germany: Switzerland, Russia, Finland as well as France, Sweden, Japan, Yugoslavia, and the individual gymnasts from Cuba.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Am Samstagvormittag begann in der Messehalle von Helsinki die mit größter Spannung erwartete Konkurrenz der Kunstturner mit der Absolvierung des Pflichtprogramrnes durch die in die Gruppe 1 eingeteilten Mannschaften. Das Rekordmeldeergebnis von 27 Nationen im Turnen der Männer hatte die Autspaltung der Mannschaften in drei Gruppen, sowie die Verteilung des Pflichtturnens auf zwei Tage notwendig gemacht. In der Gruppe 1 standen mit Ausnahme Deutschlands alle Olympiafavoriten: die Schweiz, Rußland, Finnland sowie Frankreich, Schweden, Japan, Jugoslawien und die Einzelturner aus Kuba.

*Note: Per the minutes and the Official Report for the Games, there were 29 nations, 23 of which had entered full teams. For more on the draw and judging assignments, please see the minutes from the Men’s Technical Committee meeting.

The tension was sky-high in Helsinki, with experts agreeing this was the toughest gymnastics competition to date.

The competitions took place in an atmosphere of tremendous tension. The 1952 Olympic gymnastics competition is, according to the unanimous judgment of all experts, the toughest gymnastics competition ever contested by the best teams. Whoever wins here can rightly claim to have the strongest gymnastics team ever.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Die Wettkämpfe wickelten sich in einer Atmosphäre gewaltiger Spannung ab. ist doch die turnerische Olympiakonkurrenz 1952 nach dem übereinstimmenden Urteil aller Sachverständigen der härteste und von den besten Mannschaften bisher bestrittene Turnwettkampf. Wer hier gewinnt, darf mit Recht behaupten, die stärkste Turnermannsehaft zu haben, die es je gab.

After the first day, the competition was pretty much sealed—unless the Germans, Hungarians, or Czechs pull off a plot twist worthy of a soap opera. (They didn’t.)

So the decision has been made — barring a real sensation on the part of the Germans, Hungarians or Czechs. Only recently, Sepp Stalder also pointed out in an interview that the Olympic competition would be decided in the compulsories: “In view of the density of the top gymnasts, only minimal differences in points between the leading teams and individual gymnasts are to be expected in the optional exercises; the big battles with the decisive differences in points would be fought in the compulsories.”
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Damit ist die Entscheidung — vorbehaltlich einer wirklichen Sensation seitens der Deutschen, Ungarn oder Tschechen — gefallen. Erst vor kurzem verwies auch Sepp Stalder in einem Interview darauf, daß der Olympiawettbewerb in der Pflicht entschieden werde: Angesichts der Dichte der Leistungsspitze sind in den freigewählten Uebungen nur ganz minimale Punktdifferenzen zwischen den führenden Mannschaften und Einzelturnern zu erwarten; die großen Schlachten mit den entscheidenden Punktunterschieden würden in der Pflicht, geschlagen.

To a certain degree, Stalder was correct; the top team after compulsories maintained its lead. However, Stalder, who led the all-around after compulsories, took home bronze.

The Soviet Union

According to the Swiss press, Chukarin was the favorite to win the all-around based on his training in Helsinki. Six flawless pommel horse routines in 20 minutes.

Observers of the various training sessions in the Finnish capital on Thursday were particularly struck by the Russian Viktor Chukarin and the American Parry O’Brien. Chukarin had the gymnastics experts in the exhibition hall in awe as he performed his routines on parallel bars, floor, vault, and rings, and then demonstrated his compulsory and optional routines on pommel horse 6 times within 20 minutes, making virtually no mistakes. The Swiss apparatus champion Josef Stalder described the 26-year-old Russian as unquestionably the best gymnast, who was a class above the competition.
Neue Zürcher Nachrichten, Number 167, 19 July 1952

Den Beobachtern der verschiedenen Trainings in der finnischen Hauptstadt fielen am Donnerstag besonders der Russe Viktorio Tschukarin und der Amerikaner Parry O’Brien auf. Tschukarin Hess die Turnerfachwelt in der Messehalle nicht aus dem Staunen heraus kommen, als er seine Uebungen am Barren, am Boden, beim Pferdsprung und an den Ringen vorführte und anschliessend innert 20 Minuten 6mal sein Pflicht und Kürprogramm am Pferd demonstrierte, wobei er sozusagen keinen Fehler beging. Der Schweizer Gerätemeister Josef Stalder bezeichnete den 26jährigen Russen als fraglos besten Turner, der glatt eine Klasse über der ganzen Konkurrenz stehe.

But Chukarin, the all-around favorite, hit an unexpected snag on compulsory floor.

Viktor Chukarin also experiences disappointment. Three serious mistakes put pressure on his routine 8.65. His compatriots Shahinyan (9.30) and Muratov (9.35) fly over him together with the Japanese Ono (9.40) and Kaneko (9.30). However, the best routines are Uesako (9.55), Jokiel of Poland (9.55), and Thoresson of Sweden (9.45), which are recommended for the medals in floor gymnastics.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Die Olympischen Spiele 1952 Oslo und Helsinki. Auszug aus dem offiziellen Standardwerk des Nationalen Olympischen Komitees. Leichtathletik, Turnen und Wintersport

Auch Viktor Tchoukarin erlebt eine Enttäuschung. Drei schwere Fehler drücken seine Übung auf8.65. Seine Landsleute Chaguinian (9.30) und Mouratov (9.35) überflügeln ihn gemeinsam mit den Japanern Ono (9.40) und Kaneko (9.30). Die besten Übungen zeigen jedoch Uesako (9.55), Jokiel-Polen (9.55) und ThoressonSchweden (9.45), die sich damit für die Medaillen im Bodenturnen empfehlen.

Spoiler: Chukarin still won the all-around title.

With a 9.90 on pommel horse, Shahinyan received the highest score of the day.

Stalder reaches 9.65, and his compatriots cheer, because with that, he has maintained the top position and leads on the first day after compulsory gymnastics with 57.15, ahead of Shahinyan, who receives the highest score of the day (9.90) on the pommel horse and thus reaches 57.00. But Chukarin has recovered after his poor performance on floor and closes in on the [all-around] leaders with 9.70.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Stalder erreicht 9.65, seine Landsleute jubeln, denn damit hat er die Spitze behalten und führt am ersten Tage nach dem Pflichtturnen mit 57.15 vor Chaguinian, der am Pferd die höchste Wertung des Tages (9.90) erhält und damit 57.00 erreicht. Doch Tchoukarin hat sich nach seinem schlechten Abschneiden in der Bodenübung wieder gefangen und turnt sich mit 9.70 dicht an die Führenden heran.

No one knows exactly why the judges docked 0.20 points from Shahinyan’s ring routine. Some even thought he deserved a perfect 10.

For the first time [on rings], really superior performances of the Russians and Czechoslovaks can be observed. In particular, the unheard-of condition of the Russians, which has not been observed anywhere up to this point, makes them squeeze their handstands easily and very gently. Shaninyan’s routine (9.80) is so skillful that no professional knows for what the 0.20 points are deducted. Swiss and Germans admit that his routine should have been scored in their qualification competitions with at least 10.5 points.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Zum ersten Male sind wirklich überlegene Leistungen der Russen und Tschechoslowaken festzustellen. Besonders die bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt nirgendwo beobachtete unerhörte Kondition der Russen läßt sie spielend und sehr zügig ihre Handstände drücken. Chaguinians Übung (9.80) ist so gekonnt, daß kein Fachmann weiß, wofür ihm die 0.20 Punkte abgezogen werden. Schweizer und Deutsche gestehen, daß seine Übung bei ihren Ausscheidungsturnen mit mindestens 10.5 Punkten hätte notiert werden müssen.

After the first day, the Swiss press didn’t see a way for its gymnasts to write a comeback story. The Soviet gymnasts looked too good.

There is unanimous agreement that the Russians have the team gold medal “in the bag.” Both the Swiss and the Finns were in good form, and the result is based on clear and objective scoring criteria.

The Russians dominated, especially on pommel horse and rings, where they developed an almost unsurpassable security. On the other apparatus, they maintained the usual international level.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Man ist sich übereinsti-mimend einig, daß die Russen die Mannschafts-Goldmedaille « in der Tasche haben ». Sowohl die Schweizer, als auch die Finnen waren in guter Form und das Ergebnis stützt sich durchaus auf klare und objektive Wertungsgrundlagen.

Die Russen dominierten besonders am Seitenpferd und an den Ringen, wo sie eine kaum mehr zu überbietende Sicherheit: entwickelten. An den übrigen Geräten hielten sie das übliche internationale Niveau.

The Swiss press depicted the Soviet gymnasts in militaristic terms, and although they had their weaknesses, they were unmatched in strength, power, and precision.

The Russians marched in extremely tight military formation, carrying the flag with the star, hammer, and sickle in front of them. The prospective Olympic champions generally performed with the greatest effort. Perhaps they lacked some of the playfulness, swinging and springiness of the Central European gymnasts, but they showed that no one can match them for strength, power, and precision. They disappointed somewhat on floor exercise (in which they were clearly favored) and on vault, but made a brilliant impression on rings and pommel horse. All in all, based on the personal encounters so far, it can be said that the Russians are gymnasts in the best sense of the word – comradely and with all human advantages and weaknesses. That even they are not immune to failure was best shown by the example of Leonkin; but even Chukarin would hardly have dreamed that he would be outdone by three men at once.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Die Russen marschierten in äußerst strammer, militärischer Formation ein, wobei ihnen die Flagge mit Stern, Hammer und Sichel vorangetragen wurde. Die voraussichtlichen Olympiasieger turnten allgemein mit: größtem Kraftaufwand. Es ging ihnen vielleicht etwas vom Spielerischen, Schwingenden, Federnden der mitteleuropäischen Turner ab ; dafür zeigten sie aber, daß ihnen niemand an Kraft und Wucht und Präzision nahekommt. Sie enttäuschten etwas in den Freiübungen (in denen man sie klar favorisiert hatte) und im Pferdsprung, machten dafür aber an den Ringen und am Pferd einen glänzenden Eindruck. Alles in allem kann man auf Grund der bisherigen, auch persönlichen Begegnungen wohl sagen, daß die Russen Turner im besten Sinne des Wortes sind — kameradschaftlich und mit allen menschlichen Vorteilen und Schwächen. Daß auch sie nicht vor Versagern gefeit sind, zeigte am besten das Beispiel Leonkins ; aber auch Tschukarin hätte sich wohl kaum träumen lassen, daß er gleich von drei Mann überflügelt werde.

Note: “Russians” was a misnomer. Hrant Shahinyan, for example, was Armenian.

Switzerland

During the first rotation, the Swiss struggled to warm up. The chilly competition hall, combined with nerves, left the Swiss team moving like glaciers on floor exercise.

The Swiss team with Stalder, Günthard, Tschabold, Eugster, Thalmann, Fivian, Gebendinger, and the young Schwarzentruber, who stood in for the injured world champion Walter Lehmann (sprained thumb), was beaten by the Russians because they failed on floor. It was the tragedy of the Swiss that they had to be the first to start the floor exercise in the still-cold hall. All the members of the team made a somewhat stiff impression; but the real reason for their poor performance in this discipline (1950 World Championships), which is otherwise not at all bad for the Swiss, was their failure to control their nerves. With the exception of the calm and controlled Jean Tschabold, all the Swiss were far below their normal performance in this discipline; fortunately, Stalder did not lose more than one point.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Die Schweizer Mannschaft mit Stalder, Günthard, Tschabold, Eugster, Thalmann, Fivian, Gebendinger und dem für den verletzten Weltmeister Walter Lehmann (Daumenverstauchung ) antretenden jungen Sehwarzentruber wurde von den Russen geschlagen, weil sie in den Freiübungen versagte. Es war die Tragik der Schweizer, (laß sie als erste in der noch kalten Halle mit dem Bodenturnen beginnen mußten. Sozusagen alle Mannschaftsmitglieder machten einen etwas steifen Eindruck ; der wahre Grund des schlechten Abschneidern in dieser den Schweizern sonst gar nicht schlecht liegenden Disziplin (Weltmeisterschaften 1950!) war aber das Nichtbeherrschen der Nerven. Mit Ausnahme des ruhigen und beherrschten Jean Tschabold blieben alle Schweizer weit unter ihrer Normalleistung in dieser Disziplin; glücklicherweise büßte Stalder nicht mehr als einen knappen Punkt ein.

The Swiss were spectacular on parallel bars during compulsories, flying higher and hitting handstands.

The Swiss are in their element here [on parallel bars]. They excel easily with Stützes that easily end in handstands and confident back tosses that are high over the bar. Eugster (9.85) and Stalder (9.80) prove that the Swiss are undisputedly the world’s best on the parallel bars. The Russians do gymnastics very carefully, their Stützes are barely above the height of the bars. Chukarin, their best, comes close to the Swiss in terms of the precision of his movement (9.80).
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Hier sind die Schweizer in ihrem Element. Sie brillieren mit leicht im Handstand fixierten Stützkehren und sicheren, hoch über den Holmen liegenden Luftrollen. Eugster (9.85) und Stalder (9.80) beweisen, daß die Eidgenossen unbestritten die Weltbesten am Barren sind. Die Russen turnen sehr vorsichtig, die Stützkehren kaum über Holmenhöhe. Tchoukarin, ihr Bester, kommt mit der Präzision eines Uhrwerkes dicht an die Schweizer heran (9.80).

According to the Germans, the judges did not appreciate just how superior Stalder’s parallel bars routine really was.

The duel between Stalder and Chukarin is already visible in the individual scoring. The high risk of Stalder’s performance [on parallel bars] is not sufficiently appreciated by the judges, because both receive the same score. The fact that the sympathetic Eugster has so far proved to be of equal value to them is a great success for the Swiss youth who are pushing forward.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

In der Einzelwertung wird bereits der Zweikampf Stalder-Tchoukarin sichtbar. Das hohe Wagnis des Stalderschen Vortrages wird vom Kampfgericht nicht genügend gewürdigt, denn beide erhalten die gleiche Punktzahl. Daß der sympathische Eugster sich ihnen bis jetzt als gleichwertig erweist, ist ein großer Erfolg der nachdrängenden Schweizer Jugend.

The big question: Could the Swiss keep up with the Eastern Europeans on the strength events?

Every nation has “good and weak” apparatuses. Switzerland and Germany love the parallel bars and high bar swing apparatuses. This is where they turned out their little head start. But the Russians, Czechs, and Hungarians, with their great physical condition, are looking forward to the strength apparatuses, pommel horse and rings. Will strength and confidence triumph over momentum and daring?
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Jede Nation hat „gute und schwache” Geräte. Die Schweiz und Deutschland lieben die Schwunggeräte Barren und Reck. Hier haben sie ihren kleinen Vorsprung herausgeturnt. Doch die Russen, Tschechen und Ungarn, mit ihrer großartigen Kondition freuen sich auf die Kraftgeräte, Pauschenpferd und Ringe. Wird Kraft und Sicherheit über Schwung und Wagnis siegen?

Spoiler alert: Switzerland was unable to do so. The Swiss team gave up 2.7 points to the Soviet team on pommel horse and rings during compulsories.

Finland

Savolainen administered the oath at the Opening Ceremony.

Then another Finnish gymnast, Heikki Savolainen, on behalf of all the participants of the Games, pronounces the traditional oath of honesty in competition and observance of the Olympic rules. And so, the XV International Olympic Games opened…
Izvestiia, July 20, 1952

Затем другой финский гимнаст Хейкки Саволайнен от имени всех участников игр произносит слова традиционной присяги о честности в состязаниях и о соблюдении олимпийских правил. И так, XV Международные олимпийские игры открыты …

The Germans thought the judges let the home crowd’s cheers do some heavy lifting on those scores.

The high scores for the Finns [on high bar] are certainly not without influence from the tumultuous cheers of their compatriots.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Die hohen Noten für die Finnen sind sicherlich nicht ohne Beeinflussung durch den stürmischen Jubel ihrer Landsleute gegeben.

Note: High bar was the only event where the Finnish team broke 48. On all other events, they were in the 46-point range during compulsories.

My thought bubble: There was a Finnish judge on the panel (Terävirta). His scores (76.80 total) were in line with the scores from Gulack of the U.S.A. (76.70) and Bolt of Great Britain (76.70). Were their scores, perhaps, too aligned? We’ll look at the judges’ scores in a future post.

Savolainen was the team’s rock.

The Finns once again have their best [on pommel horse] in the indestructible Dr. Savolainen (9.55). Although the team finished in 5th place [on pommels] behind Hungary and Czechoslovakia, it was able to defend third place in the overall standings.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Die Finnen haben einmal mehr in dem unverwüstlichen Dr. Savolainen ihren Besten (9.55). Die Mannschaft landet zwar hinter den Ungarn und der Tschechoslowakei auf dem 5. Rang, kann aber damit den dritten Platz im Gesamtklassement verteidigen

Czechoslovakia

Daniš’s routine on parallel bars was a highlight.

The Czechoslovak Daniš justifies his claim to one of the leading places in the individual event with a lively routine (9.70) and lands with his team ahead of Finland.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Der Tschechoslowake Danis rechtfertigt seine Anwartschaft auf einen der vorderen Plätze im Einzelkampf mit einer schwungvollen Übung (9.70) und landet mit seiner Mannschaft noch vor Finnland.

Japan

The gymnasts had trouble completing their p-bar warmup in the allocated amount of time.

When 5 minutes are passed, the staff had them stop the practice immediately. Takemoto was in trouble not being able to practice. It will not be possible for 8 athletes to complete the entire practice in 5 minutes unless they are quick and efficient.
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

演技前に5分間練習が許される。各選手はキューバ選手と共に練習を行う。5分を経過すると誘導員がぴたり練習をやめさせる。竹本選手が練習ができずこまつた。8名が5分間に一とおりの練習をするのは余程手ぎわよくやらないと全部練習が出来ない。

Note: Some things never change. Teams like the U.S. still have trouble finishing their warm-ups on parallel bars in the allotted time.

Ono was sick but still performed well on parallel bars.

Next was Ono. Ono had empyema. He had been treating it and could not practice so we were worried. We just have to count on his youth and his solid technique. We could see that his face is flushed. However, he performed confidently as expected. The points: 9.5, 9.3, 9.3, 9.5.
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

次に小野、小野君は蓄膿症で治療をつづけていたので練習も出来なかつたので不安の気がする。彼の若さ、技の確実さに期待するより外ない。頬が紅潮しているのがはつきりわかる。期待どおり堂々と試技する。採点9.5、9.3、9.3、9.5。

Takemoto was also injured.

Next was Takemoto. I was concerned that he had injured his hand and had been in pain for a long time, but this was one of his most favored events.
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

次に竹本登場、ずつと手をいためていたので気になるが彼に最も期待して種目の一つである。

Uesako touched his hand on his high bar dismount.

Uesako was the first to go. I said to myself, don’t push too hard. He lost his balance on landing and his hand touched the ground. The points were 9.2, 8.6, and 9.3. The score: 9.05. I believe quite a bit of points were taken for unsatisfactory landing
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

次の種目は鉄棒である。試技順　上迫、鍋谷、小野、竹本、金子と申告する。
上迫がトップだ、無理をするなと念ずる、着地で体勢がくずれて手をつく。採点9.2、8.6、9.3、 得点9.05　着地が相当に減点の対象となつたと思う。

The Japanese gymnasts showed up on vault and caught everyone off guard.

To the greatest surprise of experts from all over the world, the unknown Japanese students achieve the highest scores. Seemingly weightless, with a high airy approach, in an elegant posture and bomb-proof standing, Takemoto (9.55), Uesako (9.55) and Ono (9.50) take the lead in association with the Yugoslav Čaklec (9.55). But close behind are already 34 vaulters with 9.45 and 9.40, including the Germans Theo Wied, Dickhut and Bantz, the favorites for the individual scoring Chukarin and Stalder, as well as another three Swiss.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Zur größten Überraschung der Fachleute aus aller Welt erreichen die unbekannten japanischen Studenten die höchsten Wertungen. Scheinbar schwerelos, mit hohem luftigem Anflug, in eleganter Haltung und bombensicherem Stand erspringen sich Takemoto (9.55), Uesako (9.55) und Ono (9.50) die Spitze im Verein mit dem Jugoslawen Caclec (9.55). Doch dicht dahinter rangieren bereits 34 Springer mit 9.45 und 9.40, darunter die Deutschen Theo Wied, Dickhut und Bantz, die Favoriten für die Einzelwertung Tchoukarin und Stalder, sowie weitere drei Schweizer.

Japan made a bold statement on the parallel bars, proving they could do more than vault.

The “Big Four” have already taken the lead. However, the Japanese have joined them. Their results on vault do not prove to be a straw fire, because all of them do well with a mature performance and end their routine with a Wende dismount to a secure stand.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Die „Großen Vier” haben sich bereits an die Spitze gesetzt. Die Japaner sind jedoch zu ihnen gestoßen. Ihre Ergebnisse im Pferdsprung erweisen sich nicht als Strohfeuer, denn alle turnen mit reifem Vortrag gut durch und beenden ihre Übung mit einer genau über den Arm gebrachten Hochdrehwende zum sicheren Stand.

Some thought the Japanese team was underscored on floor.

Although almost cruel, all Japanese are between 9.20 and 9.55. They rightly cause a sensation among experts and referees, because such high handsprings, such flowing routine transitions, such stiffening holding parts, and improbably high flips are not to be found with any other team.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Obwohl fast grausam gewertet wird, liegen alle Japaner zwischen 9.20 und 9.55. Mit Recht erregen sie Aufsehen bei Fachleuten und Kampfrichtern, denn so hohe Überschläge, so fließende Übungsverbindungen, so erstarrende Halteteile und unwahrscheinlich hohe Salti sind bei keiner anderen Mannschaft zu finden.

Teams could include eight gymnasts, with five counting scores. Japan, however, chose to send only five gymnasts. As a result, every score counted.

The big surprise of this first day of gymnastics was neither the victory of the Russians nor the failure of the Swiss in the free exercise, but the performance of the Japanese. The Asians competed with a team of only five gymnasts, so none of their results could be tossed out; every single failure had to count. The Japanese took 4th place behind Finland.
Die Tat, 21 July 1952

Die große Ueberraschung dieses ersten Turnertages war aber weder der Sieg der Russen noch das Versagen der Schweizer im Freiübungsturnen, sondern die Leistung der Japaner. Die Asiaten traten mit einer Mannschaft von nur fünf Mann an — somit konnte keines ihrer Resultate gestrichen werden ; jeder einzelne Versager mußte ins Gewicht fallen. Die Japaner eroberten sich hinter Finnland den 4.

The Japanese were mostly happy with the judging, though they couldn’t help but feel the tension.

As for the judges, there was some dissatisfaction, but generally speaking, we should be satisfied. However, I sensed international confrontations exist even against judges.
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

審判については一部不満もあつたが、全般的にみてまず満足すべきでしょう。ただ国際的な対立というものが審判の場合でもあるように感じられた。

Note: Japan did not send any judges to the Olympics, so, if there was any negotating at the judges’t able, Japan was unable to participate.

The Japanese team did not realize that the gymnasts could vault twice.

One thing I learned in scoring was that for vault, each athlete would try twice, and the judges score the better performance.
Sasano Toshihiko, Japan’s Official Report on the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki

採点のやり方で一つ参考になつたことは、跳馬の場合各選手に2回試技させ審判はよい方を採点することであつた。

For more on the rules, see this post.

United States of America

The U.S. team did quite well on compulsory vault. With five gymnasts over 9.25, they sent the Russians tumbling to sixth in the vault standings.

The vault shows the highest performance density among the nations, with the first 12 all scoring over 46 points, which means that 60 vaulters reach an average of 9.20 points per vault, although the final sharpness is scored. Obviously, the safe dismount counts more than the high, bold flight. The Americans reveal special improvements, with 5 gymnasts over 9.25 and thus relegating the Russians to 6th place.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Der Pferdsprung zeigt die höchste Leistungsdichte der Nationen, die ersten 12 alle über 46 Punkte, das heißt, daß 60 Springer einen Durchschnitt von 9.20 Punkten pro Sprung erreichen, obwohl mit letzter Schärfe gewertet wird. Offensichtlich zählt dabei der sichere Stand mehr als der hohe, kühne Flug. Die Amerikaner verraten besondere Fortschritte, sie liegen mit 5 Turnern über 9.25 und verweisen damit die Russen auf den 6. Platz.

The real shocker? The Americans on high bar.

The real surprise, however, is the Americans, who outperform even the Japanese with a high average performance. Roetzheim reaches 9.60, Scrobe 9.50 and Simms 9.45 …. and it had been said before that the Americans do not love the annoying compulsory routine!
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Die eigentliche Überraschung aber sind wiederum die Amerikaner, die mit einer hohen Durchschnittsleistung sogar die Japaner übertreffen. Roetzheim erreicht 9.60, Scrobe 9.50 und Simms 9.45 …. und man hatte doch vorher gesagt, daß die Amerikaner die lästige Pflicht nicht lieben!

Sweden

The Swedes had made impressive strides in recent years.

The Swedes prove that they are now very serious about gymnastics. Their qualities on floor exercise and vault are well known. They have made great progress on parallel bars and high bar.
Gert Abelbeck, “VON GERÄT ZU GERÄT,” Germany’s Official Report on the Helsinki Olympics

Die Schweden beweisen, daß es ihnen nunmehr mit dem eigentlichen Gerätturnen sehr ernst ist. Ihre Qualitäten am Boden und im Sprung sind bekannt. Am Barren und am Reck haben sie großartige Fortschritte zu verzeichnen.