To say that Simone Biles is the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport is not a hard claim to make. Her Olympic and World Championship successes speak for her.
But on Sunday night her GOAT status was further cemented when she made history by performing a feat no one had in international competition before.
At the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, the GOAT of gymnastics became the first female gymnast to perform the Yurchenko double pike on vault internationally.
And that skill is now officially known as the “Biles II”.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, this was Biles’ first international meet since the Tokyo Olympics two years ago.
So on top of her four Olympic gold medals and 19 World Titles, Biles adds this honor to her already lengthy resume.
Biles is now tied with Uzbekistan’s Oksana Chusovitina with five named elements. She is two behind Soviet star Nellie Kim, the only woman to hold seven named elements according to the International Gymnastics Federation Code of Points.
“People I hope realize that maybe that’s one of the last times you’re going to see vault like that in your life from a women’s gymnast,” said coach Laurent Landi. “I think it’s time to appreciate that.”
The 26-year-old has elements named after her in vault, floor exercise and the balance beam. But the “Biles II” is extremely special as she’s the first female gymnast to perform the move formerly known as the Yurchenko double pike on the international stage.
And to make the event even better, Biles and her U.S. teammates are in first place in the qualifying session, with gold in their sites in the team final on Wednesday.
Another day for the GOAT, Simone Biles, to shine.
