CNN –
Simone Biles continued to make history at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, winning the women’s individual all-around final on Friday to secure her 21st World Championships gold medal.
The 26-year-old American put in another near-perfect performance in Antwerp, Belgium, winning her sixth all-around title at the World Championships by finishing ahead of Rebeca Andrade in second place and Shilese Jones in third.
By winning the gold medal, she also became the most decorated male and female gymnast of all time, surpassing Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo’s record of 33 total medals at both the Olympics and World Championships.
Biles has already won a gold medal at the 2023 World Championships, played a starring role in the U.S. women’s team’s gold medal win in Wednesday’s team final and has a chance to win four more.
She will compete in the women’s vault and uneven bars finals on Saturday before the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Sunday.
the first woman in history to achieve a Yurchenko double jump in competition.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror = “imageLoadError(this)” height=”2383″ width=”3574″ Loading=’lazy’/> withdrew from the competition due to mental health concerns.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this ) ” height=”1333″ width=”2000″ Loading=’lazy’/> would win an Olympic bronze medal in the balance beam final in July 2021. Biles had previously withdrawn from several events in Tokyo due to concerns about his mental health. Specifically, she said she has “twisties,” a mental block in gymnastics that causes competitors to lose track of their positioning while in the air. With her bronze medal, she tied with Shannon Miller for the most Olympic medals ever won by an American gymnast ‘)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1667″ width=”2500″ Loading=’lazy’/> sharply criticized how FBI agents handled sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor who is now serving a lengthy prison sentence.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’ this.classList.remove( ‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1704″ width=”2500″ Loading=’lazy’/> the youngest person ever to receive this award. “When she stands at the podium, we see what she is: absolute courage, turning personal pain into a greater purpose, standing up and speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves,” Biden said.” class=” image__dam-img image__dam -img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1667″ width=”2500″ Loading=’ lazy’/>
Core Hydration Classic in August 2023. It was her first competition since 2021 and she won the all-around.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this.classList.remove(‘image__dam- img–loading ‘)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″ Loading=’lazy’/> Eighth national all-around title at the US Gymnastics Championships in August 2023. The 26-year-old also became the oldest woman to ever win the championships.” class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’this .classList.remove (‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”4500″ width=”3000″ Loading=’lazy’/> the first time a woman has made the move in an international competition (this)” height=”2000″ width=”3000″/> By winning gold, she became the most decorated female and male gymnast of all time, surpassing Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo’s record of 33 total medals at both the Olympics and World Championships. class=”image__dam-img image__dam-img–loading” onload=’ this.classList.remove(‘image__dam-img–loading’)’ onerror=”imageLoadError(this)” height=”1998″ width=”3000″ /> In pictures: Superstar gymnast Simone Biles
Amazing falls and a stumble
Biles, whose ability to push the limits is so great in the sport named after her five moves, began the all-around final on vault and delivered an impressive performance, scoring 15.1, 5.6 for difficulty and 9.5 for execution.
With 14.333 on the uneven bars and 14.433 on the beam, she kept the pressure on her competitors.
Andrade delivered an excellent routine on the final floor, but Biles’s fightback was elegant, precise and explosive, drawing attention from the crowd for stumbling and, despite a minor stumble, ensuring the American took gold.
The surprise at the unforced error was not lost on Biles as a slight look of shock appeared on her face before a bright smile returned.
Biles finished the race with a total score of 58.399 on her four apparatus, 1.633 ahead of Andrade’s score of 56.766.
Already the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, Biles has now won 27 world championship medals – 21 gold, three silver and three bronze.
After withdrawing from several competitions at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and suffering from so-called “twisties” – a mental block that causes a gymnast to lose track of his position in mid-air – Biles achieved He didn’t do any sport for two years in Antwerp, which is remarkable.
By competing in Belgium, Biles became the first woman to represent the United States at six World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
She made history on opening day when she placed first in the women’s all-around qualification and became the first woman to complete the Yurchenko double jump – a difficult skill previously reserved only for men – at an international competition.
Then on Wednesday, Biles performed a brilliant floor routine to help the U.S. win its seventh consecutive gold medal in the women’s team final.
Former U.S. gymnast Dominique Dawes told CNN This Morning on Thursday that what Biles achieved in Belgium was “spectacular.”
“What she’s doing, I’m completely impressed. My kids are big fans of Simone Biles and what I love is that she is enjoying this journey,” said Dawes.
“She smiles on the way. She is a great teammate and will leave a lasting impression.”