Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles secured her ninth U.S. Championship title on Sunday, proving that even at 27 years old and over a decade dominating the sport, she is still at the top of her game.
Biles achieved a two-day all-around score of 119.750, nearly six points ahead of the second-place finisher Skye Blakely. Her performance signaled that she is poised to add another all-around Olympic gold to her collection, following her victory in 2016.
In front of her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, Biles delivered a flawless routine across all four rotations, showcasing her signature athleticism, precision, and confidence.
Biles topped the charts in all four events over the two days, a feat she had previously accomplished only once in the nationals back in 2018. This performance sets her up with strong momentum heading into the Olympic trials in Minneapolis later this month.
Although she had a slight stumble on vault, where she attempted a Yurchenko double pike, Biles recovered with grace and continued with a Cheng vault that earned her a score of 15.1. This solidified her potential to claim a record-breaking ninth national title, a remarkable achievement considering no other American gymnast has achieved more than seven.
While Biles remains unrivaled as the top contender, the competition for the remaining spots on the five-woman U.S. team heading to Paris is fierce. The younger gymnasts like Skye Blakely and Suni Lee are showing promising potential, ready to challenge the reigning champion.
The event saw some notable performances from other athletes like Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Kayla DiCello, and Leanne Wong, who faced challenges during the championships. The absence of Shilese Jones and Kaliya Lincoln due to injuries opens up opportunities for other gymnasts to shine and showcase the depth of talent in the senior elite program.
