BRONZE TEAMS: MILESTONES OF BRAZILIAN MEN'S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS AT THE 1979 AND 1987 PAN AMERICAN GAMES

Since the arrival of Artistic Gymnastics (AG) in Brazil around 1824, due German immigration to the southern region, this discipline has gained its place in the national sports landscape. In the context of high-performance sport, the men's category has earned recognition and was at spotlight in the national sports media in the 21st century. However, today’s accomplishments are the result of a long-term development process, influenced by milestones reached in earlier decades, particularly between the late 1970s and the 1980s. This manuscript aims to present and discuss the performance of the Brazilian men's AG team at the 1979 and 1987 Pan American Games, where Brazil secured third place in both editions. In addition to analyzing the context and results, the study introduces the team members, highlighting their career and recognizing their role laying the foundation for future generations. As a methodological procedure, the qualitative approach was adopted based on bibliographic and documentary research. These teams contributed to positioning Brazil on the international stage, paved the way for future success, and deserve recognition for their achievements during a period of significant challenges in the development of the sport in Brazil.