Simone Biles made a remarkable comeback after a two-year hiatus to capture a record eighth national title. World gymnastics superstar Simone Biles won the women’s all-around event at the American championships in San José on Sunday, giving her a record-breaking eighth title. The four-time Olympic champion thrilled the crowd with a final floor performance that earned her 15.400 points and a final score of 118.450 points.
Simone Biles has done it again! The gymnastics superstar has secured her place in history with a jaw-dropping eighth all-around national title at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships. No other gymnast—male or female—has ever achieved such dominance in the sport. Let’s dive into how she pulled off this incredible feat, what makes her the undisputed GOAT, and what’s next for Biles as she continues to redefine gymnastics.
During the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Biles withdrew from multiple events due to a dangerous condition called the “twisties”—a mental block that affects a gymnast’s ability to control their body mid-air. Many wondered if she would ever return. But not only did she come back, she came back stronger than ever!
Mental Health & Gymnastics
Biles’ return highlights the importance of mental health in sports. She took time off to focus on her well-being, proving that self-care is just as crucial as training. Her journey has inspired countless athletes to prioritize their mental health.
This eighth national all-around title enabled her to beat Alfred Jochim’s record of seven in 1933. At 26, she also became the oldest gymnast to win the national all-around competition, ten years after her first title. The American star had been in the lead since the first night of competition on Friday when she performed a Yurchenko double pike, a vault so difficult that no other gymnast has ever performed it in competition.
Her victory on Sunday was her second in as many competitions since returning from a two-year hiatus. She had withdrawn from most of the events at the 2021 Olympics in Japan for mental health and safety reasons. The gymnast explained that she had suffered an attack of “twisties”, a dangerous loss of bearings in space that exposes athletes to the risk of injury when they land.
In San José, Biles was the only competitor to finish the two days of competition with two scores over 15. Her runner-up Shi Jones achieved one on Sunday – 15.0 – on the uneven bars. Simone Biles’ eighth all-around national title is a testament to her unparalleled talent, resilience, and dominance. After overcoming mental health challenges, defying gravity with her skills, and breaking records left and right, she has solidified her status as the greatest gymnast of all time.
