It’s Simone Biles in a podcast setting again, but it’s not ‘The Pivot’ this time. Since her comeback event, the 2023 US National Championships, the 26-year-old has justified the title ‘GOAT’ before her name. There’s no such platform she steps on and history isn’t made. Currently standing with six World all-around Championship titles, the Olympian takes the most pride in something else.
At the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Biles jumped in joy, screaming, “I got my 5th skill named”. The 5th skill is the Yurchenko Double Pike, she has four other skills named after her, two on the floor, another in the vault, and one in the beam. Each of these skills have their own difficulty levels.
Kenan Thompson and Kevin Hart hosted the 7x Olympic medalist in an exclusive episode of 2023 Back That Year Up. While she talked about her love life with her husband, she also offered glimpses of her gymnastic world. When Thompson started his speech with “You’ve five gymnastics skills named after you”, the obvious question that followed was “do you have favorite move?” Biles’ expression looked like she already knew what was coming her way. She unhesitantly answered, “I don’t really have a favorite. I guess they’re scary to most scary”. But the moment everyone waited for, she finally spilled, “the scariest I think is the Biles II on vault”.
Let’s go back to October and relive her 5th skill naming moment. But before that, the fall on the podium training day had initially left her success in suspension. In Antwerp, Belgium, she emerged as the most decorated gymnast of all time, mainly because she could ace the ‘scary’ routine like a pro, putting aside her fears. But the world didn’t fail to capture her teary-eyed moment, which came with notes of gratitude.
Biles’ elation knew no bounds
Since her first World Championships victory came in Antwerp a decade ago, her recent win brought the story to a full circle. She had said, “World championships!!!!! Whew Antwerp will always hold a special place in my heart.” But her following statement stood as a testament to her dedication towards gymnastics. Said, “I’m speechless. I’m honored. I’m excited and I’m blessed! Doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport!!!!!”
On her plethora of history-making podiums, she had extended notes of gratitude, saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to fans, friends, family & partnerships who have been unwavering pillars of support throughout my mental health journey.” For someone who didn’t fathom a comeback after the Tokyo Olympics setback, is looking forward to another Olympics now.
