All eyes were on Jordan Chiles when she stepped on the floor for UCLA’s final routine against Michigan State on 1st February. The Bruins were trailing by seven-tenths heading into the final rotation, and the pressure was intense. But Chiles, with all her composure and brilliance, delivered a flawless performance that earned a perfect 10. This was the 10th perfect 10 of her career and already the second of this season. Her exceptional routine helped No. 6 UCLA secure a razor-thin 197.300 to 197.200 victory over No. 5 Michigan State.

You know what made this perfect 10 even more special was the rarity of them this season. The NCAA has tightened judging guidelines recently, making it significantly harder to achieve perfection. However, Jordan Chiles managed to rise above the challenges. But it was not a lone project of hers! She has someone to thank, the person behind the genius of UCLA’s floor routines. And it is, drumrolls, BJ Das!

BJ Das, a former Husky gymnast and now the assistant coach for UCLA, has revolutionized the floor routine of the team. Her choreography is not just about the moves but also about bringing out the athlete’s personality and making the performance feel natural. “I want it to feel authentic,” Das told the University of Washington Magazine on Wednesday, 5 February. “I want them to enjoy the process and the creativity. That is part of our sport, just as much as the athleticism,” she added. Bijoya (BJ) Das’ expertise extends beyond gymnastics. She has performed with superstars like Beyonce, Pink, Usher, and Miley Cyrus. She has also graced the stages and choreographed at the Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards.

BJ Das’s experience in blending artistry with athleticism was on full display when she choreographed Simone Biles’s gold medal-winning floor routine at the 2023 World Championships. Since 2020, Das has been crafting routines for UCLA. Now as a full-time assistant coach, the impact on the players seems undeniable. Thus, Chiles’s routine against Michigan State not just showcased her signature power, elegance, and expression but Das’s contribution as well. It had the elements that Das meticulously integrated into every routine. Despite struggling on bars and UCLA’s overall shaky beam performance, Chiles’s brilliance on the floor was a defining moment of the meet.

Jordan has been smashing this season, but her return to UCLA was an emotional ride!

Jordan Chiles Pens Emotional Message for UCLA Gymnastics

Jordan Chiles has been through a rollercoaster of emotions in recent months. She was a key member of the U.S. Olympics gymnastics squad that won team gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Individually, she initially won a bronze in the floor exercise after a successful challenge to a judge’s score. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected her challenge because it was four seconds late, breaking her heart. Eventually, this led to stripping off the medal and pushing her down to fifth place. Later it was announced that USA Gymnastics has formally submitted a letter and additional evidence for CAJ for the sport and the ruling.

After a period of self-reflection, Jordan Chiles made a triumphant return to the UCLA gymnastics. Following her comeback, she shared an emotional message on her Instagram handle five days ago with the team and fans, expressing her gratitude. She wrote, “Words can’t describe how grateful I am to be a part of such an amazing team!! @uclagymnastics you guys have made me re-love competing and being out on a competition floor and I thank you🫶🏽 it’s been 6 months and I finally found the joy again❤️ to the alum, fans, and student-athletes thank you 🙏🏽.” Since her return, Chiles has been in top form. She has scored two perfect 10s, including her career milestone against Michigan State.

Despite setbacks, it seems Jordan Chiles has found joy again in competing, and much of the credit goes to BJ Das. With her creative vision and expertise, Das has crafted routines that allow gymnasts like Chiles to shine, even under strict judging standards!