- Brilliant Biles wins record eighth all-around national title

Simone Biles claimed her eighth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in San Jose, California, on August 27. Despite her recent return to competition after a two-year hiatus, Biles displayed her dominance and impressed the sold-out crowd with a stunning floor routine. With one year remaining until the Paris Olympics, Biles has made a remarkable comeback after withdrawing from multiple events at the Tokyo Games due to the ‘twisties’, a temporary loss of spatial awareness in mid-air. This victory also allowed Biles to tie Alfred Jochim’s record of seven titles, which he achieved in 1933. In an interview with the Peacock network, Biles expressed her focus on performance rather than numbers, emphasizing her satisfaction with hitting all eight routines flawlessly. Biles entered the second day of the championships with a significant lead and further extended it with impressive performances on the vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise. The crowd’s reaction to her routines was overwhelming, and Biles expressed her gratitude for the support she received. With a total score of 118.450, Biles secured a comfortable victory, finishing 3.900 points ahead of Shilese Jones in second place and 7.350 points ahead of Leanne Wong in third. This win also made Biles the oldest U.S. women’s all-around champion, adding to her already illustrious career. Following her break after the Tokyo Games, Biles returned to gymnastics with a win at the Core Hydration U.S. Classic earlier this month. During the competition in San Jose, Biles executed a Yurchenko double pike, a vault that no other female gymnast has ever performed. Looking ahead to the Paris Games, Biles has set personal goals for herself but prefers to keep them private. She believes in approaching this year’s competitions differently and is pleased with the progress she has made so far.