A Decade Later, Simone Biles Continues to Dominate Gymnastics

Simone Biles, the renowned gymnastics star, secured her record-breaking eighth U.S. Championship victory on Sunday night, marking a decade of unmatched success since she first emerged as a prodigious teenager in the sport.

Now 26 years old and considered one of the greatest gymnasts of all time, Biles achieved an all-around two-day total score of 118.40, surpassing runner-up Shilese Jones by four points. Leanne Wong, a junior at Florida, claimed third place, bolstering her chances of making the world championship team for the third consecutive time.

Biles is virtually guaranteed to return to the gym where she won her first world title in 2013. Throughout two electrifying nights at the SAP Center, she made it clear that even after a two-year break following the Tokyo Olympics, she stands as the greatest of all time in gymnastics, setting her apart from everyone else.

By winning the national title, Biles became the oldest woman to achieve this feat since USA Gymnastics started organizing the event in 1963. Her eight championships surpassed Alfred Jochim’s record of seven, which he won between 1925 and 1933 during the time when the Amateur Athletics Union managed the championships, including men’s events like rope climbing.

“I don’t focus on numbers,” Biles stated. “I concentrate on my performance. Overall, I completed all eight routines flawlessly. I guess the number eight is lucky for me this year.”

Biles’ Unprecedented Longevity in the Sport

Gymnastics has undergone significant transformations over the past century. Biles stands out as an athlete who has continuously pushed boundaries over her remarkable 10-year career.

Typically, peaks in gymnastics are not expected to last this long. Most elite gymnasts at the age of 26, unless retired, aim to maintain their current level. However, Biles has never been interested in simply holding on. She finds repetition monotonous. This time, she claims to be competing “for herself,” and her unique approach to her profession provides tangible evidence that she is not lying.

Rather than sharing her journey with the world as she prepares for her third Olympics, Biles has kept most of her training hidden, focusing more on sharing glimpses of her life outside of the gym.

“I prefer to keep my goals personal, so I know what I’m striving for,” Biles explained. “I believe it’s better that way. I’m trying to approach things differently this year compared to the past. So far, it seems to be working, and I’ll keep it secretive.”

It appears that Biles has found more balance in her life, embracing the mantra that “it’s just gymnastics,” which has fueled her rise to success.

Despite a minor ankle injury during training, Biles played it relatively safe during the competition on Sunday. She decided not to perform her Yurchenko double pike vault, which she executed flawlessly on the opening night. Nevertheless, she achieved the highest score of the night on the Cheng vault (14.850), as well as on the balance beam (14.8), and received a standing ovation for her floor routine (15.400).

Looking Ahead to Antwerp and Worlds

Next, Biles will compete in Antwerp in late September, aiming to add to her unparalleled collection of 25 medals, including 18 golds, throughout her extraordinary career.

Shilese Jones is expected to join Biles on the team. Despite her height (approximately 5 feet 6 inches), Jones excels on bars and wowed the crowd with her dismount, earning the highest score of the meet on that event (15.000), leaving behind a year of injuries that hindered her training.

As for the remaining spots on the world championship team, it is still uncertain. Reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee, who has faced a kidney issue for most of the year, might have a chance as a specialist after delivering a solid balance beam routine.

Leanne Wong, one of several athletes simultaneously competing at the NCAA and elite levels, showcased exceptional performances on bars and floor exercise, compensating for her lack of power with precision.

Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles, Biles’ teammates at the 2020 Olympics, have also divided their time between college and elite gymnastics for the past two years but struggled to perform at their best. Chiles experienced falls on bars and beam, while Carey only finished in the top 10 on vault, an event where the American team is expected to excel.