February 2, 2025: This date has every right to enter UCLA Bruins’ gymnastics history. It was the day when No. 3 UCLA had to lock horns with three big opponents at Covelli Center: No. 22 Ohio State, No. 21 Nebraska, and Rutgers. After all, it was the Big Four Meet. And a win in the Meet would have landed the Bruins in history, earning them their first-ever Big Ten Regular Season title. So, on Sunday, many things were at stake for the Bruins. And what would you have expected in such a situation? The Bruins’ vital cog, Jordan Chiles, is coming with all guns blazing, right? 

On Sunday, every piece fell into place for the Bruins. The program earned its victory, scoring a total of 197.200. The nearest chaser, Nebraska, remained with 196.675. So what should have been the next? Well, the Bruins claimed their first-ever Big Ten Regular Season title. But are we missing something? How was Jordan’s performance on the day? 

It can be seen in the Daily Bruin’s report published after the Big Four match. The publication wrote in its report, “Chiles and Malabuyo also notched season lows on beam–earning 9.825 and 9.800, respectively.” A closer look will show you that in the balance beam routine of rotation 4, UCLA scored 49.125, whereas Jordan had 9.825, her lowest score on the beam this season. And, and, and, there were some more lows in the day! 

On Sunday, the Bruins had 49.300 on bars. However, in this event, Chiles was more prompt to amass points. She ended the event with a staggering 9.950, the highest among the Bruins. Still, her score wasn’t sufficient to rescue her program from utter dissatisfaction. What was that? The score was the UCLA Bruins’ lowest ever in the routine since February 7 this year. Something to worry about? Certainly!

In the coming days, the Bruins will have contests like the Big Ten Championships, NCAA Regionals, and NCAA Championships. Will the Jordan Chiles-starrer program find the scope to breathe easy there? You know the answer. But there is some hope.

In the same match, the Bruins extended its fairly run in the Big Ten Conference with a 9-0 record. Moreover, the program claimed big in the floor exercise event as usual. Today, the Bruins stamped 49.500 in the event, whereas Jordan Chiles and Brooklyn Moors remained at 9.950 again.

Nonetheless, the fans found the event less interesting because of the music in the arena and the dilemma in scores. In the end, Jordan’s low score on the balance beam routine failed to impact her all-around score. She ended the night with the all-around title. However, have you caught the genuine meaning of everything from today’s gymnastics match? 

Jordan Chiles is ready to catch the wind

Last Sunday was different. It was the day when the UCLA Bruins landed the Big Ten title despite dealing with Jordan Chiles’ mixed performances. Also, it was the day when Ohio Gymnastics opened its gym’s gate for the Bruins’ practice sessions. It’s certainly a true mark of sportsmanship from Ohio. 

However, apart from those elements, there were a few more. The foremost is the hope manifested in Jordan. On Sunday, she did have abrupt performances. But her comeback is something waiting in the corner. How so?

A couple of days back, Jordan appeared in a candid interview hosted by TheCut.com. In the interaction, the Olympian said, “Failing sucks, but it isn’t a bad thing. That’s what I was taught. We don’t live in a utopia. Nobody’s perfect.” She’s not different and is ready to accept her defeats. But she is the one who has the confidence to make a comeback.

On this aspect, she added in that same interview, “It’s okay to fail because it’s only going to uplift you to succeed in a different way.” She has the matches, the mindset, and the talent.

So, is anything missing in the scene? Have you spotted anything wrong? If yes, let us know in the comment box.