via Reuters
Brandon Briones competes during the final day of men’s competition in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., June 26, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
via Reuters
Brandon Briones competes during the final day of men’s competition in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., June 26, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
The athletic spur over Simone Biles’ record seemed to have overshadowed another gymnastics victory. The apparatus ceded to Biles’ maneuvers ever since she entered the gymnastics scene as a teen earning her the title of G.O.A.T. Making her comeback to the mats this year, the 26-year-old gymnast delivered back-to-back wins at the National Championship this month. Just one day before her final event this Sunday a supernova performance hinted at a wave of newcomers.
Much to the world’s astonishment, a paradigm shift in men’s gymnastics unveiled an emerging gymnast, coinciding with Biles’s momentous victory. At the same San Jose venue, their seven-year age difference seemed insignificant compared to his astounding display. What fuels the rise of a newcomer as a potential challenge to the most decorated gymnast?
Simone Biles loses to male gymnast despite smashing century-short record
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At the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships from August 24-27, some of the greatest gymnasts in history competed for a spot on the continental roster. On the final day of the national competition, Simone Biles became the women’s top all-around gymnast with 118.450 points. However, just one day prior, the men’s gymnastics saw Asher Hong win an all-around scoring of a? flawless 170.930! Both gymnasts were also the youngest and the oldest all-around champions in their gender.
The 26-year-old Simone Biles surpassed the legendary American gymnast Alfred Jochim’s 7th all-around feat from 1933 setting her record on the final day. While 19-year-old Stanford athlete Hong became the only male teen gymnast since John Orozco in 2012, and Tim Ryan in 1989, to win a men’s all-around national championship. Notably, while Biles won by 3.9 points ahead of Shilese Jones, Hong was ahead by a narrow margin of 1.475 points from his fellow Stanford teammate Khoi Young.
On Day 1, Hong achieved a score of 85.615, followed by a score of 85.315 on Day 2. The opening day commenced with resounding cheers resonating as he executed his routine on the uneven bars, delivering a performance reminiscent of a seasoned gymnast. The mesmerizing display was punctuated by a triumphant scream as he flawlessly dismounted, landing with grace and precision. He praised his Stanford coach Thom Glielmi and told NBC Sports, ?Thom always says that last two events, that?s where the real gymnastics is.??Both gymnasts were able to advance to the next big challenge owing to their top-tier national qualifier results.
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What’s next for the gymnastics record smashers?
The combined men and women gymnasts with over 46 national crowns, 50 medals from world championships, and 12 Olympic medals battled off in the Xfinity U.S. Championship in San Jose. In the end, Simone’s 90-year-old and sophomore Hong’s 34-year-old refined American records put both of them in the lead. The Xfinity U.S. Championship was simply a final warm-up event before a camp for the women’s team in September. While the men’s team will directly perform at the World Championship in Belgium.
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Interestingly, since the 2014 Worlds, the Americans have not taken a team medal at a prestigious international competition. This fall could be the change for the team with Olympic returner Yul Moldauer and the three rookies Young, Richard, and Paul Juda making the five-man team led by Hong. The US Gymnastics team is now off to a strong start with less than a year till the Olympics.
