September 20, (THEWILL) – Legendary gymnast, Simone Biles, is set to return to the world stage after being named to the United States team for the upcoming world championships in Antwerp, it was announced on Wednesday.
The US Gymnastics Federation stated on social media that Biles will be the only American woman in history to be selected for six world artistic gymnastics championships. Biles has shone after returning to competition last month for the first time since withdrawing from most of her events at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The four-time Olympic gold medallist has looked as outstanding as ever in two events in August, twice perfectly executing her signature Yurchenko double pike vault, a move so difficult no other woman has performed it in a competitive performance.
She won a record eighth US all-around title at the national championships to position herself to add to her 19 world titles at the championships in Belgium from September 30 to October 8. Biles had stated this month she would “love” to pursue more gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
THEWILL recalls that the 26-year-old withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo after experiencing the “twisties”, a dangerous phenomenon where gymnasts lose awareness of their positioning in the air. Her decision to withdraw was praised as a defining moment for mental health awareness in elite sport, and Biles reiterated this month that even as she aims for Paris, she continues to prioritise her mental health.
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.
