“Really Intimidated Me”: Simone Biles Opens Up on Competing With Katelyn Ohashi

It is no secret, gymnastics is a competitive sport. There are fine margins when totaling up the scores that further add drama to the intense battles. The importance of a decimal point grading system is absolutely essential for the accuracy of the sport. Notably, gymnastics GOAT Simone Biles got a taste of the same back in 2013 when she went head to head with Katelyn Ohashi.

Mind you, back then, Ohashi was regarded as one of the most incredible gymnasts the world has seen. However, an injury-riddled career and criticisms from fans ended her hopes of winning an Olympic gold medal. Not to mention, even Biles looked up to her when she was in her prime.

Simone Biles intimidated by Katelyn Ohashi

When a gymnast who won four gold medals at a single Olympic Games is terrified of another competitor, you know she is the real deal. Biles shocked the world in 2016 by winning four gold and one bronze medal. However, back in 2013, Ohashi was regarded as the best of best, who rose to the top of the rankings. Biles, who was still finding her way then, opened up on competing alongside Ohashi.

“Competing with all the girls I looked up to, even some of the juniors like Lexi and Katelyn, it actually made me really nervous. I was like so scared even when we were at the chalk bucket and Katelyn was standing next to me because she was in my group and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t even talk to her.’ Then she said something to me and I was like ‘Me?'” said Biles.

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Ohashi defeats Biles

During the 2013 AT&T American Cup in Worcester, Massachusetts, Ohashi defeated Biles on the Balance Beam competition, earning a score of 15.333. Even though Biles was ready for the competition, things did not go as planned. She fell on the balance beam while doing a tricky routine.

With that slip-up, Ohashi won the medal. However, Biles articulated on looking up to her peers and sought inspiration from them.

“They just really intimidated me but it was really good to have them like along my side because they always motivated me to do better and I was like ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t mess up in front of them,’ so I guess it motivated me to do my best out there. So it’s just really exciting and just so fun to be able to work with them,” said Biles.

For the GOAT of gymnastics to feel the nerves facing a competitor is unheard of. However, that speaks for Katelyn Ohashi’s caliber and the character she was.

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