As Gymnastics World Gathers at Belgium, Simone Biles Joins an Unlikely Companion in a Special Update

The power of an unexpected year can reshape one’s destiny in unimaginable ways. For Joscelyn Roberson, it was a year of transformation. While training alongside the legendary Simone Biles, Roberson’s excitement and dedication have earned her a spot on the 2023 World Championship team for Team USA, spanning from September 30th September to October 08th, 2023. The anticipation in the gymnastics world is palpable.

A recent Instagram post has sent shockwaves through the community and taken the internet by storm. It underscores that with unwavering dedication and passion, remarkable achievements are possible. Roberson’s journey, from receiving a tweet from Biles to sharing a championship with her, is a testament to her remarkable progress.

A difference a year can make in gymnastics

Last September, Joscelyn Roberson, a 16-year-old U.S. gymnast, was on the cusp of significant change. Her first year as a senior elite gymnast had yielded mixed results, with a second-place finish in vault at the U.S. nationals, behind Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey, but a less favorable eighteenth place in the all-around rankings. It seemed unlikely she would make the U.S. team for the World Championships.

Fast forward to this year, and Roberson has defied expectations, securing a spot among the American gymnasts heading to the Artistic championships in Belgium. Learning from the gymnastics GOAT, Simone Biles, Roberson found confidence in their shared experience as senior gymnasts.

On September 23rd, Biles shared a glimpse of their journey on her Instagram story with a caption that read, “en route Houston –> Brussels.” Just hours later, Insidgegym posted an Instagram image with Roberson’s words proudly displayed, “I am going to the worlds; this is such a surreal feeling and a dream come true.” The 17-year-old prodigy has solidified her status as a promising athlete this year, collecting an impressive nine vault medals. Her stellar performance in the world selection camp earned her a well-deserved place in the five-member team bound for the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

However, their connection goes beyond gymnastics, training, and passion for the sport.

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What do Simone Biles and Jocelyn Roberson share apart from Gymnastics?

In 2023, Jocelyn Roberson stands out as the most promising new gymnast on the U.S. Team. Meanwhile, Simone Biles has reclaimed her all-around title after returning from a professional hiatus. Both gymnasts have secured their spots on the five-member World Championship team. In a post-event interview on the USA Gymnastics YouTube channel, Roberson shared her journey, revealing that she was “mentally struggling” before joining the World Champions Centre (WCC).

Roberson highlighted her goal of becoming a WCC member and how it transformed her gymnastics journey, “I was mentally struggling a lot because I was working so hard in the gym, and nothing was ever paying off for me.” She emphasized how the assignments at Biles’s gym (WCC) contributed to her progress and her newfound love for the sport. Roberson’s medal tally speaks volumes about her skills.

Besides being the reigning vault champion on the team, Roberson secured the third-place all-around title at the Core Hydration Classic and a commendable seventh-place finish at the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Biles, sweeping the mats with all-around titles, joined in on the winning spree. While their amusing and inspiring story connecting them may not be widely known, earlier this year, Roberson had a candid conversation with Biles about overcoming mental blocks and setbacks in gymnastics.

The duo share a good camaraderie and Biles will be excited to be performing alongside this young gymnast at the upcoming 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.