Iconic seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles is back at it again after effortlessly clinching first place at the Core Hydration Classic Saturday.
The gymnastics athlete scored a 14.0 on the uneven bars, a 14.8 on the balance beam, a 14.9 in the floor exercise and an extraordinary 15.4 in the vault in front of a packed crowd in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Overall, Biles won first place in the all-around, vault, floor routine and balance beam. She ranked third on the uneven bars.
“It felt really good, especially after everything that’s happened over the past year,” Biles said in an interview with CNBC.”
“So, everyone that was cheering, made posters and all that in the crowd, it just made my heart melt that they still believe in me and I got back out here and I did what I was training so I’m very happy with the result.”
It is the recent newlywed’s first appearance since withdrawing from events at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“I always kind of knew as soon as everything that happened in Tokyo,” Biles said “So, this time I’m doing it for me, I worked a lot on myself, and I believe in myself a little bit more, just coming back out here and starting the first steps again.”
Her remarkable win puts her ahead of competitors Jordan Chiles, Leanne Wong, and Katelyn Jong at the Core Hydration Classic, which used to be known as the US Classic.
“It means the world because after everything that kind of transpired in Tokyo and it took a lot,” Biles said about the incredible amount of support she has received from fans. “I worked on myself a lot, I still do therapy weekly and it’s just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before.”
The 26-year-old Ohio native pulled out of the women’s team final in Tokyo after suffering twisties, a mental block that a gymnast can face as they are in the air during a twisting skill. She would later decide she would not compete in four individual finals at the Tokyo Games, although she did return to win a bronze medal after competing in the balance beam competition.
Biles is the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, winning 32 medals from both the Olympics and the world championships. Her medals include four golds at the Olympics and 19 golds at the world championships.
