Simone Biles made history on Sunday night by winning her record eighth U.S. Gymnastics Championship. The gymnastics star, who often feels like she’s in a fever dream during her best performances, showcased her unparalleled skills and left the doubts that haunt her on a daily basis behind. Biles, now 26 years old, spent several years overanalyzing and caught up in her own head. But this time around, she is determined not to let that happen.
During her floor routine, Biles had the entire crowd mesmerized and received a standing ovation. However, she couldn’t explain why she was smiling midway through the routine or why it didn’t feel real to her. Biles has always been fixated on the next goal, focusing on world championships, team camps, and the Olympics. But now, as a newlywed, she wants to enjoy the present moment and be happy.
Biles acknowledges that gymnastics won’t last forever, but she continues to push boundaries and perform at a level that defies her age. At 26, she became the oldest woman to win a national title since the event’s inception in 1963. Biles attributes her continued success to maturity and smarter training. While she remains a highly visible athlete, she prefers to keep her goals and personal life private.
Looking ahead, Biles is set to compete in the upcoming world championships in Antwerp, where she will aim to add to her impressive medal collection. Her teammate, Shilese Jones, who displayed exceptional skills on bars despite her tall stature, is expected to join her. The rest of the team is yet to be determined, with reigning Olympic champion Sunisa Lee and Leanne Wong as potential contenders.
As Biles continues to dominate the gymnastics world, she feels confident in her capabilities and knows that she owes it to herself to keep pushing. With her exceptional talent and unwavering determination, it’s clear that Biles is a force to be reckoned with in the sport.
