Sports

Simone Biles wins her first world championship title since 2019 and 20th overall as her comeback continues

Simone Biles wins her first world championship title since 2019 and 20th overall as her comeback continues

Simone Biles has reclaimed her world champion status, marking her return to the pinnacle of gymnastics excellence. At the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Biles led Team USA to a remarkable team title, securing her first world championship since her stellar performance in Stuttgart in 2019, where she clinched five gold medals. This victory adds to her extraordinary tally of 20 gold medals and 26 medals overall, solidifying her status as the most decorated gymnast in history.

In this remarkable display of talent, Simone Biles, alongside teammate Shilese Jones, competed in every apparatus, with Leanne Wong and Skye Blakely completing the team lineup for the final. Team USA’s exceptional performance earned them the gold medal, with Brazil taking home the silver, and France securing the bronze.

This victory marks the seventh consecutive women’s team title for the United States at the world championships, highlighting their unparalleled dominance in the sport. The last time a country other than the U.S. claimed this honor was back in 2010 when Russia emerged victorious.

Simone Biles showcased her exceptional skills, earning a score of 14.800 in the vault (despite not performing her most challenging skill), 14.466 in the uneven bars, 14.300 in the balance beam, and an impressive 15.166 in the floor exercise, ultimately clinching the title for Team USA. These scores culminated in a total score of 58.732. To put this in perspective, Biles secured the individual all-around title at the 2019 world championships with a total score of 58.999, significantly outpacing her competition.

This triumphant performance underscores a remarkable fact that has become increasingly evident since Simone Biles returned to competitive gymnastics this summer: she has regained her peak form, even after facing challenges at the 2020 Olympics and taking a two-year break from the sport.

Simone Biles’ journey in Antwerp is far from over as she has qualified for the finals in every apparatus, positioning herself to contend for her record-extending sixth world all-around title.

Beyond the medals and accolades, Biles has etched her name in history by successfully executing the Yurchenko double pike in the vault during the competition. This extraordinary feat has earned her the distinction of having the skill officially named after her in international gymnastics competition.

Simone Biles returned to competitive gymnastics in August with a commanding performance at the U.S. Classic, followed by a historic eighth all-around title at the U.S. Championships. Before her return to the sport, she spent two years focusing on her well-being, including seeking therapy and tying the knot with Green Bay Packers defensive back Jonathan Owens.

Looking ahead, Simone Biles’ next major challenge will be the 2024 Olympics in Paris, offering her a chance to rectify her experiences in Tokyo. At the 2020 Games (held in 2021), Biles, the overwhelming favorite for a second consecutive all-around gold medal, encountered difficulties with the “twisties.” Her struggles led to her withdrawal from the team competition, but she made a triumphant return in the final individual event, the balance beam, earning a bronze medal.

With her determination and talent, Simone Biles has unequivocally expressed her intention to compete at the 2024 Olympics, where she is poised to captivate the world once again as athletes converge in Paris.

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Sandiego Currents journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.