Legacy of Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles And Others: Young Gymnasts Create History at US Gymnastics Championships 2022

US Gymnastics Championships 2022 witnessed gymnasts gather from across the country in Tampa, Florida. While Simone Biles, the gymnast with the most world medals(25), as well as Tokyo 2020 Olympics all-around gold medallist Suni Lee were absent in the field, the U.S. Gymnastics Championships witnessed something historical happening.

The sport has a prolonged legacy created by big names. Every year, hundreds of gymnasts look forward to the championships. The gymnast with the most accolades, Simone Biles, has won a record seven all-around championships. On the other hand, Gabby Douglas has been synonymous with Gymnastics, as she produced some record-breaking performances during her career.

However, with her magnificent performance, the 17-year-old debutant Konnor McClain secured the top spot in the championships this time. With three Black girls securing all the sports on the podium, history was created. Fans celebrated this historic victory with a hashtag that is trending and seeing steadily increasing usage.

Young talent shines in the absence of legends Simone Biles and Suni Lee

17-year-old Konnor McClain made her debut in the championships this year. “It’s so unreal,” she shared about her triumph as she won the top all-around spot with a score of 112.750. She has shown unbelievable resilience throughout her journey. She sustained fractures, concussion, and the flu which she had a few weeks ago.

Winning the second all-around spot with a score of 112.000 is Shilese Jones, the 20-year-old who placed 10th and couldn’t make it to the Olympics team in Tokyo 2021, not even as an alternative. Heartbroken and utterly dejected, she decided to end it with elite gymnastics. The simplest way to describe her performance at the championships is as a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Read More: “Don’t Waste God’s Gift”- Simone Biles’ Father Helped Her Comprehend the Most Meaningful Lesson in Life

Jordan Chiles finished third in the all-around with a score of 111.900, narrowly missing Jones. She competed for the United States and took home a silver medal in the team competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

The trio takes the spotlight on social media

The news of three black women claiming all the spots on the podium was spread across the length and breadth of the country. It is a significant accomplishment. Several posts praising this achievement have gone viral. As a result, the popular hashtag right now is #BlackGirlMagic.

A tweet, in particular, gained a lot of attention, receiving around 6000 retweets and 50,000 likes, which reads, “In a historic first, Black women swept the All-Around podium at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships.  Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones,Jordan Chiles. THIS is the legacy of Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles, Dominique Dawes and so many other trailblazers who trained and stood alone.“

Speaking of the defending champions and the upcoming champions, several reports suggest the most decorated gymnast Simone Biles is taking an indefinite break from the competition. On the other hand, Suni Lee won’t be competing at the elite level until next year. Moreover, there are no concrete rumors regarding their participation in the Paris Olympics 2024.

Watch This Story: Here’s A Quick Look at Gymnast GOAT Simone Biles Heavy MET Gala 2021 Outfit

Is it time for the upcoming champions to step in and continue the winning streak to fulfill the American dream? Do you think this void will allow the next deserving candidates, room to make it to the Olympic team?