Early in the Olympic year 2024, Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade said, “I’m so proud to know that I can continue her legacy,” referring to Simone Biles and the massive waves she made during the GOAT’s 2023 comeback. At last year’s World Gymnastics Championships vault finals, Andrade the reigning Olympic champion on vault beat Biles, who took silver despite a fall on the apparatus. The two shared the podium four times, and on the final day during the Floor Finals, Biles playfully crowned Andrade with an imaginary crown.

That moment, captured in countless photos, symbolized the passing of the torch from one legend to another. Despite their rivalry on the mat, their mutual respect shines through in gestures like these. With Paris approaching, the competition is heating up, and even Andrade’s coach has weighed in.

Rebeca Andrade’s coach, Chico Porath, has ambitious goals for his mentee to defend her Olympic title and that made her the the first Brazilian all-around Olympic champion. He understands the difficulty that lies ahead, particularly with Biles involved. In an interview with CGTN Sports Scene Chico Porath shared, “We need to go easy, we cannot miss the execution. That is going to be key,” Porath says. Andrade’s coach acknowledged Biles as the GOAT but also mentioned the friendly rivalry that’s brewing.

“Rebeca and Simone are friends, and that will make it a more fun competition to watch. They are super talents, and there will be other super talents there, too,” Porath added. Up until now, Andrade’s path has not been easy. Three ACL surgeries on her right knee nearly put an end to her career. But her toughness has brought her back on her second Olympic run.

With Rebeca Andrade as the reigning Olympic queen on the vault and since she defeated Biles, a gymnastics clash between them in Paris is keeping fans abuzz. Since her defeat at the World Championships, Simone Biles has enhanced her technique on the apparatus. Let’s not forget, she holds the highest difficulty with two vault skills on the Code of Points named after her. But now stepping up her game to defend her title in Paris, Rebeca Andrade is teasing a new move.

Rebeca Andrade upping her gymnastics skills before facing off against Simone Biles in Paris

Energy for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, particularly for the highly anticipated epic battle between Simone Biles of the USA and Rebeca Andrade of Brazil, is growing. With the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics, the Yurchenko double pike, Biles has raised the standard. However, in an attempt to catch up to Biles in toughness, Andrade is now making light of a never-before-seen triple-twisting Yurchenko.

Despite North Korean gymnast Hong Un-jong’s initial attempt at the 2016 Games, no female gymnast has been able to successfully perform the triple Yurchenko in a global tournament to date. In the Code of Points, Andrade’s vault will bear her name, guaranteeing her place in gymnastics history if she wins in Paris. How does it compare to Biles though?

Biles, the gymnastics queen of vaults, has wowed everyone with her signature moves like the Biles (6.00) and Biles II (6.4). She’s set the bar sky-high with her Yurchenko double pike, the toughest vault in women’s gymnastics. Andrade’s possible triple-twisting Yurchenko might score a 5.8, which is impressive but still shy of Biles’ jaw-dropping 6.4 for her YDP, aka Biles II.

Despite the high stakes ahead Andrade has shown respect for Biles. “It’s about doing my best, and I hope [Biles] does, too, that she does her best because it’s an honor to be able to compete alongside her,” Andrade stated to Gymnastics Weekly News. Both players are going all out for what’s shaping up to be an epic showdown as the Paris Olympics kick off in less than 10 days. What do you think about this rivalry and Rebeca Andrade’s coach, Chico Porath’s, words? Share your thoughts in the comments below!