May 30, (THEWILL) – The greatest gymnast of all time, Simone Biles, enters this weekend’s US Gymnastics Championships as the overwhelming favourite to claim yet another all-around title.
The 27-year-old is gunning for a record ninth national championship, which would further cement her status as the sport’s most dominant force heading into the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Biles’ last triumph at the 2022 US Championships saw her surpass Alfred Jochim’s long-standing record of eight national titles. Having overcome the “twisties” that derailed her Tokyo 2020 campaign, the four-time Olympic gold medalist has been in scintillating form since returning to competition last August, highlighted by victory at this month’s US Classic.
Joining Biles in Fort Worth, Texas is Tokyo Olympics all-around champion Sunisa Lee, who has recovered from the debilitating kidney diseases that threatened her gymnastics career. Tokyo floor exercise gold medalist Jade Carey is also in contention, while 2012 Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas withdrew due to injury, ending her Paris 2024 hopes.
Jordan Chiles, who stepped in for Biles at Tokyo 2020, and two-time world all-around medalist, Shilese Jones, are among the other leading contenders vying for a coveted Olympics spot. The US Championships serve as the final qualifier ahead of next month’s Olympic Trials, where the five-woman team for Paris will be determined.
The competition kicks off on Friday, with the women’s all-around final taking place on Sunday.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
