Simone Biles Shines with Spectacular Gold Medal Win, Securing Spot in National Championship

Simone Biles is currently on the path to the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and it all begins with her triumph at the Core Hydration U.S. Classic.

After a two-year absence from competitive gymnastics, the 26-year-old professional athlete made a stunning comeback by securing the gold medal. Biles claimed first place in the vault, floor, and balance beam events, while her uneven bars routine landed her in third place.

Biles even showcased her skills during the Illinois-held classic, introducing the seldom-seen Yurchenko double pike on vault. Her execution of the move impressed the judges, earning her the highest score of the day at 15.4.

Excitedly sharing her achievements, Biles took to her Instagram Story on Sunday, August 6, expressing her delight over her and her World Champions Centre teammates' placements by exclaiming "Gold medals for WCC!"

Saturday's event was Biles' initial competition following her withdrawal from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics due to experiencing the unsettling phenomenon known as the "twisties." (The "twisties" refer to the loss of body control experienced by athletes while executing aerial maneuvers.)

Simone Biles, Leanne Wong, and Joscelyn Roberson celebrated their achievements at the Core Hydration Classic awards ceremony at the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on August 5, 2023. Expressing her gratitude, Biles shared her satisfaction with NBC Sports, following her rotations on Saturday. She expressed appreciation for the support from the cheering crowds and the heartfelt posters, which reinforced her determination. Biles was elated to have returned to the arena and achieved what she had been training for, proving her happiness with the outcome.

She continued by stating that after the events in Tokyo, she dedicated a significant amount of time to working on herself. She continues therapy on a weekly basis and is thrilled to have regained her previous level of confidence. She admitted to feeling like she had lost some of her widespread support, but returning to competition and receiving support from fans and viewers has been overwhelming. Biles expressed her gratitude to all those who have supported her.

Biles, who always had the desire to make a comeback after Tokyo, clarified that she is doing it for herself this time. She has put in a lot of effort to improve herself and has gained more belief in her abilities. Starting over and taking those initial steps in her journey has been a rewarding experience for her.

The crowd erupted in loud cheers every time Biles displayed her impressive skills during the televised competition. The talented Olympian even joined in on the excitement by showcasing some amusing dance moves after nailing her landings.

As Biles revealed to NBC Sports, her post-competition dance moves originated from a lighthearted tradition among her teammates. "It's just a playful gesture. I've always done it in the gym, and the girls said, 'If you stick your vault, please do it,'" Biles explained. "I almost forgot about it until my teammate Jordan [Chiles] reminded me. It's just a way to have fun, share some laughter, and enjoy each other's company."

As Biles revels in her triumph, she acknowledges that she is still in the process of preparing for the upcoming Olympic Games. She expressed her satisfaction with her current progress, stating that her main focus so far has been on the classic and the U.S. National Championships.

Having secured a gold medal on Saturday, Biles has secured her spot in the nationals which begin on August 24th. Nevertheless, she remains committed to prioritizing self-improvement and putting herself first.

Biles also received support from her husband, Jonathan Owens, who is a professional football player for the Green Bay Packers. Currently, he is attending NFL training camp in Wisconsin. Owens expressed his pride and joy for his wife's accomplishments by posting footage of her medal ceremony on his Instagram Story, stating, "Y’all know my wife [handled] business too, what a special night ️,". The couple tied the knot in April.