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Four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles made a triumphant return to competitive gymnastics at the Core Hydration Classic. Biles landed a Yurchenko double pike, a vault no other woman has ever done. She not only won the meet but also took the beam, floor, and vault titles. Biles showed that she is ready and in better shape than ever, while her Tokyo teammates are still working their way back. Other gymnasts, like Skye Blakely and Kaliya Lincoln, also impressed at the meet. Alyssa Roenigk reported
Alyssa Roenigk, a senior writer for ESPN, has traveled to six continents for her work and has engaged in numerous daring activities. She reports from Hoffman Estates, Illinois, where Simone Biles, a four-time Olympic gold medalist, made a triumphant return to competitive gymnastics. After withdrawing from five events at the Tokyo Olympics due to a mental block known as the “twisties,” Biles showcased her resilience by executing a flawless Yurchenko double pike vault, a feat no other woman has achieved. The crowd erupted in applause, demonstrating their unwavering support for Biles. This victory not only solidified her comeback but also showcased her dominance in the sport. Biles emerged as the all-around champion, claiming titles in beam, floor, and vault. She finished a remarkable five points ahead of silver medalist Leanne Wong. Here are four key takeaways from this meet.
Firstly, Biles demonstrated that she is fully prepared and ready to compete at the highest level. Traditionally, gymnasts view the U.S. Classic as a warm-up meet to qualify for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. However, Biles stated that she feels more prepared than ever before, both mentally and physically. Despite initially planning to compete in only two events, Biles surprised everyone by landing two difficult skills during practice, prompting her inclusion in every rotation. Her outstanding performance at this meet suggests that she is currently the best gymnast in the world, as evidenced by her impressive all-around score of 59.1, surpassing Rebeca Andrade’s winning score at the 2022 world championships.
While Biles stole the show, Sunisa Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, also made a noteworthy return to elite competition. Lee faced additional challenges due to her recent diagnosis of kidney disease, which affected her ability to train at her previous level. Despite these obstacles, Lee exhibited her resilience and determination by performing well on beam and vault. Her emotional response to her beam routine demonstrated the significance of her return to gymnastics. Although Lee has a tough road ahead due to her health condition, her performance at this meet served as a confidence boost, and she expressed optimism for the upcoming U.S. Championships.
Furthermore, Biles’ Tokyo teammates, including Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Leanne Wong, and Kayla DiCello, are still adjusting to the transition from NCAA gymnastics to elite competition. Given that they are the first group of gymnasts to compete in both arenas during the NIL era, it is expected that they will need time to regain their elite skills. Therefore, their performances at this meet should not be a cause for concern. The upcoming U.S. Championships will provide a better assessment of their progress.
Lastly, there were other impressive gymnasts who made their mark at this meet. Skye Blakely, an 18-year-old athlete, clinched the uneven bars title, while 16-year-old Kaliya Lincoln finished second to Biles on the floor. Both gymnasts showcased their talent and are coached by Yevgeny Marchenko, who previously trained 2004 Olympic all-around champion Carly Patterson. Despite Blakely’s limited participation in three events due to a previous injury, she could have secured second place all-around if she had competed on the floor. These young athletes have the potential to make significant contributions to the sport in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics..
