Historic win for Simone Biles at U.S. championships

If there is an equivalent of a walk-off homer in gymnastics, it is Simone Biles competing last on floor.

Biles clinched a record eighth U.S. national all-around title Sunday with the most flawless performance she has given since returning to competitive gymnastics at U.S. Classic three weeks ago. "That was the best floor routine I've ever seen her do," her coach, Laurent Landi, said. As Biles struck the ending pose on a routine that earned her a sixth national floor title, the crowd erupted in a standing ovation that shook the SAP Center. It was as if the 11,000 fans in attendance had been bottling two years of applause for the four-time Olympic gold medalist.

Biles is all but assured of returning to the gym where she captured her first world title in 2013. Over the course of two electric nights at the SAP Center, she served notice that even after a two-year break following the Tokyo Olympics, in gymnastics there is the one referred to as the GOAT and there is everyone else.

Biles wouldn’t tip her hand on whether she will compete in next year’s Olympics.

“I like to keep (my goals) personal just so that I know what I am aiming for,” she told NBC. “I’m trying to move a little bit differently this year than I have in the past. So I think it’s working so far, so I’m gonna keep it a little bit secretive.”

Biles continues her return to competitive gymnastics after a two-year hiatus following the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, when she pulled out of several events suffering from what is known as the “twisties” – a mental block causing a gymnast to lose track of their positions in midair.

Biles’ win broke a tie with Alfred Jochim for the most U.S. all-around national titles. Jochim won his last title in 1933. Biles won four straight titles from 2013-16, and then won again in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Biles scored a 14.85, 0.40 points better than she did Friday and far and away better than anyone else here will manage.

Biles’ beam routine is incredibly difficult, loaded with elements that give her bonuses. Yet she makes it look easy, moving across the apparatus – which is 3 inches wide and 3 feet off the ground, mind you -- with more confidence than most of us walk on flat ground. 

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Sarah H

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