Simone Biles recently returned to international competition by joining Team USA at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastic Championships in Antwerp, Belgium. The 26-year-old secured the number one spot on the podium, making her the oldest U.S. woman to earn any World’s medal, according to NBC Sports.
This is her 20th gold medal, which she won 10 years after bringing home her first. Biles made her debut at the World Championships in Belgium back in 2013. Fast-track to today, the gymnast has eight national titles and 25 world and seven Olympic medals.
Biles’ participation in competitions often leads to record-breaking performances. Last Sunday, the champion became the first woman to land a Yurchenko double pike vault. Following the achievement, she had the move named after her, Biles II. Biles also became the first woman to represent the U.S. at six artistic world championships.
The achievements come as Biles recently returned to competing after a 2-year hiatus. She had withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 due to the “twisties,” which happen when gymnasts lose awareness of their bodies midair. She has been open about focusing on her mental health to perform.
“You kind of have to take that mental break because if not, obviously, your body will decide for you, and that’s what mine did in Tokyo,” she told Inside Gymnastics Magazine. “It was the worst timing, but I’m very happy what happened just because I got to go and really focus on myself. And I’m still continuing to work on myself.”
Biles has shared that she has been going to therapy weekly as she is training for the Paris Olympics next summer.
“I think what success means to me is a little bit different than before, because before, everyone defined success for me, even if I had my own narrative that I wanted,” she told Olympics.com ahead of the World Championships. “So, now, it’s just showing up, being in a good head place, having fun out there, and whatever happens, happens.”