Simone Biles, is ready to let bygones be bygones, no matter how iconic! The G.O.A.T. is gearing up for the Gold Over America Tour, but first, she’s saying goodbye to one of her signature moves. That’s right—Simone is parting ways with the Yurchenko Double Pike, the vault that made gymnastics fans gasp in awe.

Like the extra Queen she is, Biles took to Instagram to announce this farewell in style. She posted a photo of herself on a vault, surrounded by white flowers, with the caption, “Rest in peace yurchenko double pike” and a hand-heart emoji. In her story, she doubled down with “R.I.P yurchenko double pike” and four headstone emojis—talk about making a statement!

Right before the gymnastics events kicked off at the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles wowed the crowd during podium practice with her signature Yurchenko Double Pike (YDP). Since she first unveiled the move in 2021, the Biles II has only gotten better, culminating in a stunning 9.8 at the 2023 World Championships. When Biles executed it in Paris, her fans erupted in cheers, declaring, “PERFECTION!”

However, Biles’ journey with the YDP wasn’t without its setbacks. She missed the chance to perform at the Tokyo Olympics due to the “twisties,” a sudden loss of air awareness. But at the Paris Games, the Biles II made its triumphant return not only at the podium training but also at the all-round finals and vault finals, helping her secure her second and third gold medals of the 2024 Summer Games. With her vault performance earning a final score of 15.3, Biles solidified her legacy and proved once again why she’s considered the G.O.A.T.

Although she hinted that this might be the final time we see the YDP in competition, Biles left fans with a hopeful note: “Never say never. The next Olympics is at home. So you just never know.” But did you know she was snubbed the first time she tried the move?

At the US Classic in 2021, although she stopped the collective breath of audiences by attempting the dangerous stunt, judges were far from impressed. Her total score? A measly 6.6, which everyone agreed was pretty underwhelming. At the time, the move had a very low starting low, probably to discourage gymnasts from attempting it and even the field.

“They’re both too low and they even know it. But they don’t want the field to be too far apart. And that’s just something that’s on them. That’s not on me,” the gymnast had stated at the time.

But, as she has now drawn the curtain on it forever, let’s skim through the aspects that make the YDP the world’s hardest vault.

What makes Simone Biles’ Yurchenko Double Pike end so overwhelming?

The “Yurchenko” part of the YDP is named after Natalia Yurchenko, a gymnastics pioneer from the ’80s who gave the vault its name. It starts with a round-off onto the springboard, then a back handspring onto the vaulting table. Pretty standard, right? But here’s where things get wild: the Yurchenko Double Pike takes it to the next level with not one, but two flips in the air while your body is in a pike position (legs straight, bent at the hips).

The YDP isn’t just a show-off move; it’s a showcase of pure gymnastics power and skill. It’s not just about flipping twice but making sure you do it with precision, as failing to land it right could mean hitting the mat head-first, and that’s not exactly the landing anyone wants. Back in 2023, Biles took a half-point hit because her coach stood on the mat, but hey, safety first, right? Fast forward to 2024, and she nailed it solo, proving that not only does she defy gravity, but she also keeps getting better with time.

The Yurchenko Double Pike (YDP) has earned a perfect 6.4 difficulty score in the FIG’s Code of Points, the highest score awarded to any vault in women’s gymnastics. This difficulty score reflects the extraordinary complexity and skill required to execute the vault. So, when Simone Biles sticks this landing, it’s not just impressive—it’s historically significant!

At the Paris Olympics all-around final, Biles had also dazzled the crowd with the YDP, earning a jaw-dropping score of 15.766. She even admitted, “I wasn’t planning on it,” and that this move wasn’t part of the original plan—talk about having a secret weapon! It’s a move that not only defines her career but also sets her apart from the competition. As she bids adieu to the Biles II, the only way to revisit this gymnastics marvel is by flipping through throwbacks of her extraordinary skill. What’s your take on this iconic move? Share your thoughts below!

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