August 28th 2023.
Simone Biles made history on Sunday, Aug. 27, when she won her eighth all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California. Her victory made her the winningest athlete in the sport, male or female, and the oldest woman ever to take home gold at the competition.
“I think it feels really special,” Biles said. “I’ve been doing it for so long, I feel like I don’t think about numbers, I think about my performance. And I think, overall, I hit eight for eight. … I guess it’s a lucky number this year.”
Biles returned to the mat with a bang after stepping away from the sport after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 in order to prioritize her mental health and start a new chapter in her personal life. Her floor routine scored her a 15.400, and she boldly claimed her all-around victory.
Though she seemed poised to face off at the 2024 Olympics, Biles avoided confirming her participation. Rather, she said “I like to keep personal just so that I know what I am aiming for. I’m trying to move a little bit differently this year than I have in the past. So I think it’s working so far, so I’m gonna keep it a little bit secretive.”
Her win secured her a spot in the world championships competition, scheduled to begin on Sept. 30 in Antwerp, Belgium. With her 32nd medal, Biles remarked on the love and support she’s received since leaving competition as a result of “twisties”—a mental block that causes a gymnast to lose track of their positions in midair—amid thunderous applause throughout her evening of record-breaking performances.
“It’s really amazing. Everybody in here believes in me,” she said. “So I just need to start believing in myself a little bit more, but it feels amazing and I love the fans, I love the crowd. It was really special.”
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