The moment Simone Biles burst on to the national scene at the 2012 U.S Secret Classic, she proved to be a rising star. However, no one could have guessed that her future would be this bright.
May 2012, Chicago. A tiny, 4 foot 9, fifteen year old with a huge smile walked into Chicago’s UIC Pavilion; up until this point, in the gymnastics world, she was relatively unknown. Earlier that year, Simone competed – under the radar – at the WOGA, American, and Alamo Classics, where she gave few spectators the first glimpses of her massive Amanar and tumbling ability. But it was here, in Chicago, where her breakthrough performance produced.
Simone did not have a dominant competition, in the sens ewe have become accustomed to, but nonetheless she won the competition by over half a point, thanks to her spectacular Amanar rivaling that of 2011 World champ Maroney. Later, in June, at Junior U.S Nationals, she was impressive again by placing third AA and becoming the Jr. National Champion on vault, but was overshadowed by two time AA champion Lexie Priessman, and as the Olympics and the fierce five took over the gymnastics world, Simone dove under the radar yet again.
2013 brought on the American Cup: Simone’s senior international debut. Although she characteristically struggled with harnessing her immense power, many took notice of her raw talent, and as Nastia Liukin stated: “the skills are all there.” Though it was not her best competition, it set the foundation for stardom. Simone went on to dominate in Italy for the City of Jesolo Trophy, winning the team, all around, vault, beam and floor gold medals. Not long after, she won the team gold and silver all around at the USA – Germany – Romania tri-meet.
Simone was on a roll, but at the 2013 U.S Classic, she faltered, and questions of inconsistency arose. Coming into the P&G Championships, many wondered if she could handle the pressure, and while returning Olympian Mckayla Maroney received the media’s attention, Simone worked well, going nearly 8 for 8, and won the all around title over Olympian Kyla Ross by just .200. Having redeemed herself in Marta’s eyes, in no time the 17 year-old was off to Antwerp, Belgium for her first World Championships.
In Antwerp, Simone distanced herself farther and farther away from the rest of the world, winning the all around by nearly a full point, over the likes of Olympic Champions Ross (USA) and Mustafina (RUS). She further asserted her gymnastics prowess by winning a vault silver and beam bronze, and then capped off the World Championships with a golden floor routine.
In one short year, Simone went from an inexperienced elite, to the best gymnast in the USA, to the best gymnast on the planet. Many wondered if she could top that in 2014.
Simone planned to begin her second senior season at the 2014 American Cup in Greensboro, NC, but a nagging shoulder injury pulled her out of competition. In April, she traveled to Canada to compete in the Pacific Rim Championships, but her injury again prevented her from competing. Seven months into the year and no competition under her belt, many questioned her readiness for the World Championships in China that fall.
However, Simone arrived in Chicago in July, and went 4 for 4 at the Secret Classic, winning the first of her three competitions in 2014. She debuted a newly choreographed, spectacular floor routine and an upgraded beam routine. Just a month later, Simone proved to be at her best yet, as she won P&Gs by a landslide: a whopping 4.25 points. The injury just was not a factor for the mighty Biles.
In the past year, Simone’s routine had gone from outstanding, to breathtaking. She vaulted her 2 ½ twisting Yurchenko with ease, and a smile was plastered on her face prior to every stuck landing. On beam and bars, her confidence increased with each hit routine, while on floor, she merely skipped into her massive Silivas (double twisting double back) and Biles (double layout half out).
However, what stood out to spectators, judges, and coaches alike, was her personality. Simone lit up every arena with her beaming smile. While most competitors remained stoic in concentration, Simone fed off of her own positive energy, and her teammates and competitors did as well.
In Nanning, Simone –along with her best friend and teammate Kyla Ross– lead an inexperienced US team to the top of the podium on the biggest stage, and most noticeably, the girls seemed like they were having a great time. They were cool and calm while performing, and the team support was infectious: there were high fives and smiles all around. One can’t avoid thinking that Simone’s optimism was a factor.
She carried her energy into the All Around final, where she lived up to the golden expectation. Simone took gold by a wide margin, becoming only the second American woman to win back-to-back world all around titles, and the first woman to do so since Khorkina. In event finals, Simone repeated as the World Vault silver medalist, and upgraded her 2013 beam bronze to a gold, and, once again, closed off the World Championships with a decisive win on floor.
Numerically, Simone Biles already ranks amongst the greats. At only 17, she is the second most decorated U.S gymnast at World Championships behind Alicia Sacramone, surpassing an impressive field including Olympic Champions Shannon Miller, Nastia Liukin, and Shawn Johnson. She is also only the second American gymnast to win back- to – back World AA Titles, and the first since Khorkina. When she will decide to end her gymnastics career, Simone will undoubtedly be remembered for her multiple titles, but, in my opinion, she will be remembered for more than her medals.
In Nanning, for the first time in recent memory, spectators saw two competing gymnasts, from different countries, bond and become close friends. Simone and Larisa Iordache of Romania joked around the entire championships and cheered for each other as if they were teammates. They were genuinely happy for each other’s success, and this camaraderie between athletes is something sometimes lacking in the sport. This is what Simone brings to gymnastics, other than her immense talent; this is what makes her so special: the desire to share her happiness with her competitors.
Every gymnastics legend is remembered for a reason; Korbut for pioneering daring gymnastics, Nadia for scoring the first perfect 10.0 with unmatched grace, and Khorkina for dominating the gymnastics world for nearly a decade. However, decades later, the person –not the medals– shines through.
For this reason, there could not be better face of gymnastics than Simone Biles. The medals are all there, and hopefully there will be more to come, but most importantly, her competitors will remember her for her friendly camaraderie, her teammates will remember her for her endless positive encouragement, and the world will remember her forever as the gymnast who always had a blast.
Article by: Caroline Price
Photo Cover: Nadia Boyce