Simone Biles and her teammates secured a historic victory at the gymnastics world championships in Antwerp, Belgium. Despite not performing at their best, the U.S. women’s team clinched a record seventh consecutive team title. For Biles, this win also marked her 33rd major championship medal, solidifying her position as the most decorated female gymnast in history. Antwerp holds special significance for Biles, as it was the city where she won her first world title in 2013.
The American team, consisting of Biles, Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, Joscelyn Roberson, and Leanne Wong, scored a total of 167.729 points, narrowly beating Brazil and France. The final competition was more closely contested than anticipated, as the Americans had dominated the qualifying round with a lead of over five points. Biles expressed her pride in the team’s performance despite the mistakes made, emphasizing their courage and determination.
This victory extends the U.S. women’s remarkable winning streak in the team event at every world championship since 2011, surpassing the Chinese men’s record. Biles, with a total of 26 world championship medals, including 20 golds, and seven Olympic medals, stands alone as the most accomplished female gymnast. Her combined medal count from these prestigious events surpasses the previous record held by Larisa Latynina of the Soviet Union.
The absence of the Russian team, due to sanctions imposed by the International Gymnastics Federation, further solidified the American team’s status as favorites. However, the U.S. squad faced an early setback when Joscelyn Roberson injured her ankle during warm-up and had to be replaced by Leanne Wong.
Despite this setback, the U.S. team delivered strong performances, with Shilese Jones and Leanne Wong starting off on a positive note. Biles chose a slightly safer vault routine, leading to the team ranking second after the first rotation. However, they quickly reclaimed the lead, outperforming their Chinese opponents on bars. Biles contributed significantly to the team’s score with an impressive routine on the beam and a stunning floor routine.
Biles’ return to competitive international gymnastics comes after a two-year absence. Her previous appearance was at the Tokyo Olympics, where she struggled with a mental block known as “the twisties” and withdrew from multiple events. Antwerp holds a special place in Biles’ career, as it was where she first gained international recognition as a 16-year-old prodigy, winning her first world all-around title.
Biles expressed her surprise and excitement at continuing to compete and win world titles at the age of 26. She remains the favorite to win a sixth all-around title, although she may face tough competition from reigning world all-around champion Rebeca Andrade of Brazil. The event finals are scheduled for the upcoming days.
In addition to the U.S. team’s dominance, Brazil celebrated their first-ever women’s team medal, led by Rebeca Andrade, and the French team earned their first team medal since 1950. This victory in Antwerp further cements Simone Biles’ legacy as one of the greatest gymnasts in history.