08 August 2023 , 15:31
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Simone Biles, the four-time Olympic gold medalist, made a triumphant return to gymnastics at this year's U.S. Classic in Illinois.
After taking a two-year break from the sport following the 2020 Tokyo Games, Biles showed her talents by winning three out of four events and claiming the all-around title. The 26-year-old had withdrawn from five of her six events in Japan due to mental health concerns and experiencing "the twisties," a phenomenon that affects gymnasts' spatial awareness while performing intricate twists in the air.
During her hiatus, she was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden at the White House. In late June, Biles announced her comeback at the U.S. Classic, expressing her intention to compete at the Paris Olympics in 2024.
However, her participation would depend on her performance over the next 12 months. Her outstanding showing at the U.S. Classic has certainly boosted her prospects.
Competing in all four events, the American secured first place on the balance beam, floor exercise, and vault, reports the Express US. Notably, she executed a Yurchenko double pike on the vault, a skill that only she has ever completed.
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Despite finishing third on the uneven bars, Biles finished five points ahead of runner-up Leanne Wong, solidifying her victory. Biles expressed her appreciation for the support she received from the crowd, saying: "Everyone that was cheering - made posters, all of that in the crowd - it just made my heart melt that they still believe in me."
Biles acknowledged the personal growth she had undergone since Tokyo and emphasised the importance of therapy in maintaining her mental well-being. She added: "It means the world because, after everything that transpired in Tokyo, I worked on myself a lot.
"I still do therapy weekly, and it has just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before. Everything has fallen into place. I feel really good about where I am now, mentally and physically."
Simone Biles was back with a bang at the US Classic (AP)While Biles acknowledged that there are still areas to improve in her routines, she was pleasantly surprised by her performance in her long-awaited return. She stated: "I still think there are some things to work on in my routine, but for the first meet back, I would say it went pretty well.
"I'm very shocked and surprised. I'm very happy now that it is out of the way. I always kind of knew [I'd return] as soon as everything happened in Tokyo.
"This time, I'm doing it for me. I worked a lot on myself, and I believe in myself a little bit more. It's just coming back out here and starting those first steps again." The next milestone for Biles is the national championships in San Jose later this month.
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