Ultra C

The term Ultra C is a cultural idiom in Japan that started as the informal strategy used by the Japanese Olympic gymnastics team in 1964. In the 1964 Summer Olympics, gymnastic feats were assigned a difficulty rating A-C, with A being easier than C. Since then, the difficulty ratings have expanded to A-G. At the time, the Japanese team used the term "ultra-C" to describe their strategy, as a metaphor for their goal to perform on a level beyond the best score, or to give "110%". This strategy ultimately brought them the gold medal that year, and the term stuck so well it entered the Japanese lexicon.

The phrase became the basis for many marketing campaigns, and even lent to the title of the show Ultra Q, and its sequel Ultraman.

The term was initially adopted in figure skating by Russian fan circles and media, and is now commonly used by figure skating fans internationally, referring to the most difficult elements in women's singles, the triple axel and quadruple jump. Russians also use the term for quadruple jump twists and throw versions of 'ultra-C' jumps in pair skating, but is less common in reference to men's singles. It remains an unofficial term, and is not recognised by the International Skating Union in any capacity.