Simone Biles, the luminous figure in gymnastics, clinched her historic eighth U.S. Championship title on Sunday night, marking a decade since her initial rise to the pinnacle of the sport as a prodigious young talent.
Now 26 years old and recently wed, Biles stands as a strong contender for the title of the greatest gymnast of all time. Her combined two-day score of 118.40, a remarkable feat, positioned her four points ahead of Shilese Jones, the runner-up. Meanwhile, Leanne Wong, a junior hailing from Florida, secured the third spot, elevating her prospects of securing a third consecutive spot on the world championship team.
With an air of confidence, Biles is poised to revisit the gym where she first claimed her world title in 2013. Over two electrifying evenings at the SAP Center, she undeniably made her presence known. Even following a two-year hiatus post the Tokyo Olympics, Biles emphatically reaffirmed that in the realm of gymnastics, she stands as the GOAT (Greatest of All Time), setting her apart from the rest.
Remarkably, Biles has etched her name in history as the oldest woman to seize a national title since the inception of USA Gymnastics’ organized event in 1963. Her eight crowns surpass the record held by Alfred Jochim, who secured seven titles between 1925 and 1933 during the era when the Amateur Athletics Union managed the championships, including events like men’s rope climbing.
“I don’t think about numbers,” Biles expressed. “I think about my performance. And I think overall, I hit 8 for 8. I guess it’s a lucky number this year.”
Over the past century, the sport has evolved significantly, and no one embodies this evolution more than Biles. For an entire decade, she has harnessed her extraordinary talents to redefine the boundaries of the sport in numerous ways.
While most elite gymnasts at 26 are usually striving to maintain their performance, Biles is exceptional in her approach. She finds repetition mundane and has always pursued her gymnastics journey with a different perspective. Her unconventional methodology, rooted in a sense of self-fulfillment, sets her apart.
Rather than laying her journey bare as she eyes a third Olympics, Biles has maintained a level of secrecy around her training, offering glimpses into her life beyond the gym. This year, she’s embraced a more discreet approach in pursuit of her goals.
Her life now seems more balanced, aligning with the “it’s just gymnastics” philosophy that propelled her to success. Though age hasn’t caught up with her yet, Biles exercised caution on Sunday due to a right ankle tweak in training, opting out of the Yurchenko double pike vault. Nevertheless, her performances on the Cheng vault, beam, and floor drew admiration from all corners.
Looking ahead, Biles sets her sights on Antwerp in late September, where she aims to add to her astonishing collection of 25 medals, 18 of which are gold.
Jones, an extraordinary talent on bars, is also bound to be present. Despite her height (5-foot-6ish), she excels in this discipline, and her triumphant dismount and high score on the event underscored her prowess.
As for the world championship team, the lineup remains uncertain. Reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, currently grappling with a kidney issue, could find her place as a specialist, showcasing a solid balance beam routine. Wong, juggling both NCAA and elite levels, delivered impressive performances, highlighting her precision and skill.
On the other hand, Biles’ 2020 Olympics teammates Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, who have been navigating college and elite commitments, faced some challenges. Chiles experienced falls on bars and beam, while Carey secured a top 10 spot only in the vault event, an area where the American team is anticipated to excel.
Source: AP
