The action has begun in full force in Antwerp, Belgium, as the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships commenced. The Women’s Qualifications Day 1 was action-packed and saw an unfolding of history. In 2021, Simone Biles raised the bar high in the world of gymnastics, writing her name in history by flawlessly executing the Yurchenko double pike vault in a competitive arena. The Yurchenko double pike vault is an extraordinary and challenging variation within the Yurchenko family. This vault involves the gymnast executing not one but two flips while maintaining the pike position.? This time again Biles was given the first opportunity for Biles II to be inducted into the Code of Points at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship.

Biles, who graced the competition floor once again has proven that she is the G.O.A.T. In 2021 when Biles executed the YDP the vault was yet to bear her name. In an exciting development, after collecting four elements, Biles, after taking the first cab off the rank, got her name into the skills roster for the fifth time in her career. She has earned her fifth element in gymnastics, solidifying her legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats, and is halfway to challenging a Russian gymnast’s record.

Simone Biles collects her fifth element

According to a post on X by Gymnastics Now, it read, ?Simone Biles does it ? the Yurchenko double pike is the BILES II! STRAIGHT UP and a large step back but who cares, seriously? She finally did it!?

Before this milestone, there were already four elements in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points named after the American gymnastics sensation. These elements spanned across vault, balance beam, and floor exercise. Now, Simone Biles can officially add “Biles II” to her repertoire, showcasing her exceptional talent and innovation. This makes Biles come closer to Russian gymnast Nellie Kim who? holds an extraordinary record in artistic gymnastics with seven elements named after her in the 2017?20 F?d?ration Internationale Gymnastique Code of Points.

The contribution of Nellie Kim

Kim’s contributions span across various apparatus: three on vault, two on the balance beam, and two on floor exercise. In vault she has the “Handspring forward on – 1? turn (540?) off”? achieved at the 1974 World Championships, and also the “Tsukahara tucked with 1/1 turn (360?) off” which she showcased at the 1976 Olympic Games, and the “Tsukahara stretched with 1/1 turn (360?) off” at the 1978 World Championships. Then on the balance beam, she has the “Gainer salto tucked 1/1 turn (360?) at end of beam” secured at the 1976 Olympic Games and the “Free (aerial) cartwheel into salto backward tucked” which she achieved at the 1980 Olympic Games.

In floor exercise, she has the “Double salto backward tucked” introduced at the 1976 Olympic Games and the “Double salto backward stretched-piked” achieved at the 1978 World Championships, demonstrating her dynamic dominance in gymnastics. Biles with 5 elements now inches closer to the great Kim. Simone Biles scored a monumental 15.266 on the Vault, on Day 1 at the Worlds further solidifying her reputation as a gymnast without equal.

Read more: Sending America Her Love, Simone Biles Opens World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023 With Special Message From Team USA

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