Photo Courtesy of IG (@simonebiles)
If you thought age or a hiatus would slow her down, you’d be oh-so-wrong! The legendary Simone Biles is back and she’s not here to play; she’s here to dominate.
Ten years after her debut in Antwerp that skyrocketed her into international fame, the 26-year-old phenom proved once more that she’s the reigning queen of gymnastics.
Ten years after her debut in Antwerp that skyrocketed her into international fame, the 26-year-old phenom proved once more that she’s the reigning queen of gymnastics.
Biles clinched her 20th World Championships gold, stamping her authority on the sport and making sure everyone knows she’s here to stay. What’s even more impressive? This victory led the U.S. Team to its seventh consecutive world title at the 2023 World Championships.
The American team, a composite of seasoned champions and promising newcomers, comprising Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Leanne Wong, collaborated seamlessly. They amassed an impressive total of 167.729 points, marginally surpassing the scores of formidable teams from Brazil and France.
While the team wasn’t perfect (because hey, who is?), their undeniable spirit, resilience, and exceptional skill sealed their triumph. Biles herself acknowledged, “It wasn’t Team USA’s best day,” Biles said. “It’s crazy, we still pulled it out. So I’m really, really proud of the team.”
The U.S team faced an unexpected challenge when Joscelyn Roberson was ruled out due to an injury during the warm-up. Demonstrating commendable adaptability, Wong stepped in. Despite the unexpected replacement of Joscelyn Roberson with Leanne Wong, the team showcased exceptional adaptability and resilience, crucial traits in high-pressure competitions.
“We had some mistakes here and there, but just keep going, keep relying on our training,” Biles added. “But I think this team that we have brought this year has the most great courage and fight. … We had so many emotions going throughout the day.”
With Russia banned from the event, Team USA was the expected favorite. Yet, victory was not guaranteed. The suspense was palpable as all eyes were on Biles during the final floor event. There were gasps, there were nail-biting moments, but in the end, Biles’s mesmerizing floor routine, packed with jaw-dropping skills, saw her score an outstanding 15.166.
Historically, the U.S. women have demonstrated unparalleled consistency. They’ve clinched gold in the team event at every world championship that included a team competition since 2011
Adding to her glittering career, Biles also landed one of the world’s most challenging vaults earlier in the competition. Now affectionately dubbed the “Biles II,” it’s clear that this superstar is still on her journey of making and breaking records.
“Each and every time you are crowned world champion, it feels a little bit different,” Biles said. “I’m still surprised that I’m still going. I’m 26, I’m a little bit older. It’s different, but it’s exciting.”
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And, lest we forget, this is her first international competition after a two-year hiatus. A hiatus that saw her tying the knot with Jonathan Owens and enjoying some well-deserved personal time. “I was, like, married to gymnastics,” Biles revealed, showing the world that she’s not just an athlete but a woman balancing love, personal life, and professional aspirations.
She added, “and now I feel like I’m attached to so many other things and gymnastics is just a part of my day because at the end of my practice, I’m like, ‘Well, I get to go home to a house, to my husband, to my dogs, to all this stuff,’ where before it was like, man, gym, gym, gym, gym.”
“People think if you’re a wife, you can’t be a professional athlete, you can’t be a gymnast, you can’t do whatever,” Biles said. “And I came to the realization, like, yeah, I can still be a wife and be out there.”
Speaking of aspirations, Biles is also eyeing her sixth all-around title this Friday. As always, she remains the one to watch. With a total score of 58.732 points, she is expected to face stiff competition from Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade, the current world all-around champion. The final events are set for Saturday and Sunday.
With her current medal haul, Biles has etched her name in the annals of gymnastics, surpassing legends and setting benchmarks that future generations will aspire to achieve.