August 28, (THEWILL) – Simone Biles of Spring, Texas, won her record eighth national all-around title at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, this past weekend.
The 26-year-old posted a total score of 118.450 over the two-day competition, making her the oldest woman to ever claim the U.S. all-around crown. On the first night of competition, Biles scored a 59.300 to build a sizable 2.55 point lead heading into the final day. She earned an exceptionally high 15.700 on vault for her Yurchenko double pike, which is currently the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics.
If Biles executes it at an upcoming international event like October’s world championships, it will become her second skill named after her in the sport’s Code of Points. While Biles opted not to perform the double pike on Sunday, she impressed with a Cheng vault that scored 14.850. The Cheng, requiring a roundoff onto the springboard and half-turn entry onto the table, is among the most challenging vaults for women.
Biles also excelled on floor exercise, posting huge scores of 14.800 on Friday and an even better 15.400 on Sunday. Her routine boasts four highly difficult tumbling passes, including her signature Biles I skill. Additionally, she hit strong routines on balance beam and uneven bars. After starting tentatively on beam Friday, she gained four tenths Sunday to finish with respective scores of 14.450 and 14.850.
Shilese Jones and Leanne Wong finished behind Biles in second and third place, with all-around totals of 114.550 and 111.100. Though Biles recorded the top vault scores both nights to win the all-round crown, she was ineligible for a medal because she did not compete two different vaults on Sunday.
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.
