Don Holder

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameDonald Joseph "Don"•Holder
Used nameDon•Holder
Born29 September 1928 in Jersey City, New Jersey (USA)
Died1 September 2015
AffiliationsOld Swiss Turners, (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Don Holder started gymnastics at Dickinson High School, and later competed for the Swiss Turners. He competed in both traditional gymnastics and turners competitions. Holder also competed in events other than the standard six gymnastics apparatuses, which included flying rings, rope climb, tumbling, and Indian clubs. His only AAU title came in 1953 when he won the Indian Clubs event. He competed at the 1955 Pan American Games, helping the US win the team all-around title, and winning individual silver medals on the rings, vault, and in Indian club swinging. Holder studied at Florida State, graduating in 1957 with a degree in physical education and a masters’ in education. After graduation he served a stint in the Army, and then the reserves, leaving as a captain. Holder later coached high school gymnastics at Miami Jackson HS (1958-62) and Coral Park HS (1963-79). He was inducted into the US Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1994.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Artistic Gymnastics (Gymnastics) USA Don Holder
Individual All-Around, Men (Olympic) 80
Team All-Around, Men (Olympic) United States 8
Floor Exercise, Men (Olympic) =134
Horse Vault, Men (Olympic) =95
Parallel Bars, Men (Olympic) =118
Horizontal Bar, Men (Olympic) 97
Rings, Men (Olympic) =109
Pommelled Horse, Men (Olympic) =32

Special Notes