
Simone Biles, an American who has made a strong comeback to the sport, says she feels “just as good as the first one” after winning her 20th gold medal at a global championship.
At the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Wednesday in Antwerp, Belgium, Biles was a crucial part of the US women’s team’s historic victory.
The US won the women’s team discipline’s global championship for the seventh time in a row thanks to her amazing floor routine.
Exactly 10 years ago, in 2013, Biles won her first global championship at the same location.
After winning her most recent gold medal, Biles told Heath Thorpe, via Gymnastics Now, “I think every single time you are crowned world champion, the feeling is a little bit different.”
“I mean, I still find it surprising that I’m going. It feels just as amazing as the first one does now that I’m 26 and a little bit older. Just because we fought, came together, and shattered records. Although it is unique, it is exciting.
Everything feels unique
Biles, who is 26 years old, is regarded as a seasoned athlete and has the medals to prove it.
She now has 26 medals from the world championships, including 20 gold, three silver, and three bronze, making her the most decorated gymnast in US history.
The American gymnast shares the record for most overall medals (33) from the Olympics and world championships with Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo.
I’m not as young as I once was. I’m 26. Everything seems to have changed. I guess I’m considering my gymnastics a little bit more lately. It’s not quite as carefree,” Biles added.
Biles made history by representing the US at six artistic global gymnastics championships by competing in Antwerp this time.
Before winning the gold medal on Wednesday, Biles had already had a successful competition. She made history on the first day of the tournament when she won the women’s all-around qualification.
In the process, she made history by becoming the first female to successfully complete a Yurchenko double pike vault at a global competition.
‘Spectacular’
Dominique Dawes, a former American gymnast, said on Thursday on CNN This Morning that Biles’ accomplishments in Belgium are “spectacular.”
“What she is doing is really amazing. Simone Biles is adored by my children, and I appreciate that she is having fun on her path, said Dawes.
She is grinning as she walks. She is a wonderful teammate and will have a big influence.
Dawes is a three-time Olympian and a member of the “Magnificent Seven”—the first American team to win the women’s gymnastics gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.
The now-retired gymnast expressed her enjoyment of the US team’s ability to express themselves on the international stage, an attitude she attributes to Biles.
They’re becoming closer. They are close pals. There is a great deal of strain on them, and they are smiling and enjoying themselves,” Dawes said.
“I am aware that having competed in three Olympiads has made you feel as though the weight of the world is on your shoulders. You understand that countless numbers of people are watching you as you represent your nation.
But they’re grinning. The group is laughing. They are taking it all in with gusto. That is why I adore how Simone Biles has transformed that facet of sports.
This week marked Biles’ return to international competition after withdrawing from several events in Tokyo 2020 due to the “twisties,” a mental block that causes a gymnast to lose sight of their positions in midair.
In spite of her belief that Biles would return to competition with “something to prove,” Dawes admired the way the athlete handled her own difficulties during the previous Olympic Games.
She “changed the game” in that respect since other athletes felt empowered to talk openly about their mental health struggles both on and off the field. So she was able to have an influence there,” Dawes said, forecasting Biles’ inclusion on the upcoming two Olympic teams.
“As an athlete, you are a bit remiss hoping you could complete the race, and I believe she’ll be able to achieve that at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
I keep telling my spouse that I believe this young woman can consider qualifying for her fourth Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
Biles has the opportunity to take home more medals at the global championships before then.
Prior to the women’s vault and uneven bars finals on October 7 and the balancing beam and floor exercise finals the following day, she will compete in the women’s individual all-around final on Friday.