Simone Biles spent years practicing the Yurchenko Double Pike, a move few gymnasts dared to attempt. Yet, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist had mastered the risky vault to such a degree that it officially became the Biles II. However, now that the Olympian has wowed the crowd with that move for the last time in Paris, she’s open to learning something new.
So, what better place to learn something new than rehearsing the Gold Over America Tour? The 27-year-old channeled her inner Sky Blakely as she attempted her fellow gymnastic moves on the balance beam. “Learned another new thing,” Biles captioned the Instagram story where she attempted Blakely’s signature mount, and it turned out to be quite challenging.
“I don’t know how you do this every day,” Simone Biles added to her story, tagging Blakely. The GOAT’s latest attempt at learning a new gymnastics move comes shortly after she nailed the 360-degree rotations on the pommel horse. From her Gold Over America Tour rehearsals, Simone Biles gave fans a peek into her training on Instagram Stories, sharing a clip with the caption, “How rehearsals are going…” as she nailed pommel horse flares on a mushroom-like apparatus. Unlike the YDP, the world’s most decorated gymnast never practiced the pommel horse, yet it took only one session to nail a basic move.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Biles’ skill on the pommel astonished the men’s team’s only specialist, Stephen Nedroscik. Nedoroscik became an overnight celebrity after a stellar performance in Paris. Helping the U.S. Men’s gymnastics lock in the bronze during team all-around and repeating the feat in the individual event, Nedoroscik earned the nickname ‘Clark Kent of Pommel Horse.’
However, even Team USA’s Superman had to give props to the world champion‘s fineness on his apparatus. Similarly, Skye Blakely took notice immediately after the all-around Olympic champion tried her move. “I like it,” wrote the two-time World Championships gold medalist while sharing Biles’ story. Another thing that stood out was just how much Simone Biles seems to be having.
Although Olympic phenom Biles is the only woman to have mastered the Yurchenko double pike in competition, she wouldn’t describe practicing the vault as a fun experience. “Most of the time I’m just trying not to die,” Biles said about the Yurchenko Double Pike in her Netflix docu-series, Biles Rising. So, when the time came, Biles held the YPD funeral.
Simone Biles says goodbye to the terrifyingly brilliant skill
What’s your perspective on:
Simone Biles pushing boundaries even after a tough week—Is she the greatest gymnast of all time?
Have an interesting take?
A backhandspring onto the vault with two midair flips while keeping their legs straight in a pike position through the movement. While it may sound complex, the execution is another story. Not only is the Yurchenko double pike the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics, but it could also prove dangerous. Controlling the momentum and lading with your knees locked in place has the potential to cause career-altering injuries.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Hence Simone Biles was right to be terrified of the skill. Yet, the gymnastics icon could retire the skill without a little pizzazz. So Biles took to Instagram, sharing a photograph of herself performing the vault surrounded by white flowers. “Rest in peace Yurchenko Double Pike,” the 27-year-old wrote in her Instagram story. Yet just because she won’t perform the awe-inspiring vault any longer doesn’t mean she doesn’t have something in store for the fans.
At this point, it’s clear as day that Simone Biles is the face of the Gold Over America Tour. Adding up the initials of every word in the title forms G.O.A.T, an undeniable reference to Biles. So, will the eleven-time Olympic medalist bust out brand-new moves during the tour? We’ll have to wait until September 16 to find out!
Have something to say?
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Simone Biles pushing boundaries even after a tough week—Is she the greatest gymnast of all time?