The legend of the gym Simone Bilesback at the high level after two years of hiatus, achieved this Friday in Antwerp his 21st world title upon winning the general contest, less than ten months from the Olympic Games of Paris 2024.
Already the team winner on Wednesday, the American gymnast achieved 58.399 points. The Brazilian Rebecca Andrade (56,766), who was defending the title, and another American, Shilese Jones (56,332), completed the podium.
Biles achieved a performance worthy of her greatness, with the best score in three of the four devices. Only the uneven bars, which were never his favorite, escaped him.
With two days of competition ahead, everything indicates that the American’s collection will increase, with four finals to play.
Biles stars in her dream comeback in the Belgian city of Antwerp, two years after the nightmare she experienced at the Tokyo Games, marked by the ‘twisties’ she suffered, brutal losses of references in space when the gymnast is in the air.
In the classification, the American icon added a new line to his legend by succeeding with an unprecedented jump of extreme difficulty that already bears his name.
On Wednesday, with teammates Shilese Jones, Leanne Wong, Skye Blakely and Joscelyn Roberson, who was injured in the warm-up, Biles topped Brazil for team gold.
This Friday Biles climbed onto a world podium for the 27th time and, despite habit, his eyes watered.
“I actually had something in my eye and I couldn’t get it out, I swear it’s true,” the 26-year-old gymnast told reporters.
“But of course I was excited! Ten years ago I won my first world title here and I am back to the same place, it means a lot of things to me, seeing how I have fought to return and feel confident to compete,” she added.
The 1.42 meter gymnast returns at the perfect time to face the Paris Games with complete confidence.
“She always has difficulties, she is not perfect. But she has proven to everyone that she can be better than before, she is like wine, she improves with age,” said her coach, the Frenchwoman Cecile Landi.
Biles finally referred to her podium companions: “We have had a 100% black podium, I find this incredible, magical black girls!” she smiled. “I hope this shows little girls that anything is possible if they decide to train hard.”
Source: Ambito
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