Simone Biles’ ‘Speechless’ Moments: Reflecting on Triumph and Setback During Black History Month

Simone Biles is yet to make a steady comeback in the Olympic year. However, in keeping her fans stuck to her everlasting ingenuity, the gymnastic starlet has showcased several exhibitions of her moves on the beam and floor this year. Even so, the usual yet majestic wizardry from Simone Biles has been increasing heat, leaving less room for doubting the prowess that once lit the floor in Antwerp, 11 years back. 

After claiming the platform of the World Championship in Antwerp in 2013, she continued to take the superlative forms on every exercise in the century-old artistic gymnastics sports. In 2020, a mental block impeded her fairly running on the trot. But soon, after serving 2 years away from the sporting affair, the gymnastics dutch returned to the floor to continue things her way. So, in this Black History Month, here’s a look back to those happenings, recalling Simone Biles’ victories and setbacks.

Simone Biles’s shrewd memory let her remember the triumph

Last year, evading her constraints in the outer world and mental struggles, Simone Biles competed in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship. Despite this, she triumphed in Antwerp, securing four gold medals, including one for her all-around performance, reminiscent of her first win in 2013. In a recent Instagram post, the 4x Olympic gold medalist reflected on the significance of the 2013 victory. But before coming to that, in an astounding emotional rollercoaster, Simone Biles conceded the reason for returning to Antwerp through thick and thin. “Doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport!!!!!” was her choice of sentences to express the reason. 

Eventually, Simone Biles had one of her moves named after her on the same platform. The vault exercise, known as the Yurchenko entry on-double piked backwards off, was renamed ‘Biles II’. With a difficulty level of 6.4, it became the fifth move named after the legend. The first move, ‘Biles’, was also named at the same venue in 2013. However, these unrivaled achievements looked bleak in front of the two-year hiatus that kept Simone Biles doubting her prowess. 

The tale mixed setbacks once 

However, the battle-tested gymnast realized that her body and mind were not aligned. While attempting the Amanar vault, Simone gave up after completing only one and a half twists instead of the required two and a half. This led to her experiencing ‘Twisties’, a common issue for habitual athletes like her. Concerned about the impact on her performance, Simone made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Games. Discussing that situation, the Olympic champion conceded once, “I felt like a failure.” Even after that untimely move, Simone Biles wasn’t shy to discuss her situation at a later time, spreading awareness of mental health.

Read more: Top 5 Lesser Known Facts on Simone Biles Ahead of Core Hydration 2024

Her husband Jonathan Owens and the possible help from her loved ones had thoroughly helped her to register a comeback in 2023. So, once returning to the usual sporting affair, the 26-year-old conceded, “I’m fine. I’m twisting again. No worries. All is good.” After that, in Antwerp, she proved her supremacy by clinching the medals.

Watch this story: “Beat You”: Gymnastics’ Emerging Sensation Challenges Simone Biles for the Lead.