Simone Biles Secures Ninth U.S. Championship, Proving She's Still the Best in Gymnastics
Simone Biles won her ninth U.S. Championship on Sunday, demonstrating at 27 that she remains at the pinnacle of gymnastics. Biles achieved a two-day all-around total of 119.750, finishing nearly six points ahead of runner-up Skye Blakely. This performance solidifies her readiness to potentially add a second all-around Olympic gold to her 2016 victory.
In front of a supportive audience, including her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, Biles showcased her exceptional skills across all four rotations. She displayed her characteristic blend of jaw-dropping athleticism, precision, and confidence. Remarkably, Biles achieved the highest two-day score on all four events, a feat she had only accomplished once before at nationals in 2018. This victory sets her up strongly for the upcoming Olympic trials in Minneapolis later this month.
Biles' only error came on the vault, where she fell on her Yurchenko double pike during warmups and overcompensated during her actual attempt, ending up on her back. Despite this, she scored a 15.000, highlighting the difficulty and rarity of the vault. She recovered with a Cheng vault, scoring 15.1, which helped secure her ninth national title—a record no other U.S. gymnast has matched.
While Biles' dominance remains unquestioned, the competition for the remaining four spots on the five-woman U.S. team heading to Paris is fierce. Skye Blakely, 19, impressed with her performance, gaining momentum ahead of the trials. Suni Lee, the 2020 Olympic champion, overcame early vault mistakes to deliver outstanding routines on uneven bars and balance beam, despite ongoing kidney issues.
Olympians Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey faced challenges, including falls on beam, while third-place finisher Kayla DiCello slipped on the uneven bars. Leanne Wong also experienced uncharacteristic errors, potentially due to fatigue from a long season at Florida.
Shilese Jones, regarded as the best all-around gymnast in the U.S. aside from Biles, withdrew from the championships due to a shoulder injury but plans to compete in the trials. Kaliya Lincoln, 18, also missed Sunday’s competition due to a minor injury but aims to be ready for trials. Their participation will be crucial for the team's success in Paris.
If Jones and Lincoln are not fully recovered, it could provide opportunities for other gymnasts to secure a spot on the U.S. team, testing the depth and talent of the senior elite program.
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