Becoming a great sportsman requires hours upon hours of grueling training. The steadfast determination to push through limits and surpass the boundaries of your body to become exceptional like Simone Biles doesn’t come easily. Naturally, it requires a deep passion and love for the sport.
The most decorated gymnast in World Championship history, Biles raised gymnastics to a whole new level. Her incredibly difficult skills, gravity-defying floor routines, and powerful yet graceful execution set new standards. And it all stems from the passion she has for the sport.
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Simone Biles received sage advice from her father
The Olympic champion got her start in gymnastics at 6 years old, quickly catching up to her peers who started before her. Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Simone Biles always had trouble sitting still, preferring to run around.
So, gymnastics provided an outlet for Biles where she could freely do what she wanted. Talking to CBN News, she revealed, “I guess I loved the freedom of the sport. There was no right or wrongs that you could do. You didn’t have to have one particular body type. You made everything mold into what you were born with.”
There are a lot of people born with the potential for greatness but seldom do we see that potential honed to achieve something. Biles had the making of a GOAT sportsman, and in bringing out her best, her father played a big role.
READ MORE: “My Phone Is Always on DND”: Simone Biles Nearly Escapes a Huge Blunder for Her Future in Gymnastics
“I think God gives every individual something special, and mine was talent. So to never take it for granted, which my dad always told me, ‘Don’t waste God’s gift that He gave you,’” she narrated. She took that advice to heart and became the most dominant gymnast the world has ever seen.
Biles had an illustrious career
When Simone Biles started her senior career in 2013, she took home both the US National title as well as the World Championship all-around gold on her first try. Ever since, she has defended her title in every season she competed.
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With four moves named after her, the gymnast raised her skill level so high that she became mathematically impossible to beat if she performed in her top form. At the Rio 2016 Olympics, Biles won five medals, four of which were gold, and further cemented herself in gymnastics history.
In this sport, gymnasts tend to retire young, usually in their late teens and early 20s. Aware of this, Biles knew she had a limited window where she could truly shine. “Because it’s like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One day I’ll be too old to do gymnastics. So for now, I have to use it to the best of my ability,” she said.
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Currently, Biles has taken time off from competing to focus on her mental health. Fans eagerly await her return to the arena, another chance of witnessing her Olympic glory.