Video: Simone Biles? Yurchenko Double Pike Vault Goes Down in History at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

Simone Biles returned to Antwerp after a decade since her first World Championships. And once again, took center stage as the unrivaled G.O.A.T. The seven-time Olympian’s presence isn’t just about clinching her sixth world title; it is about setting a new benchmark for the sport. Biles already has four elements named after her in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points: one on the vault, one on the balance beam, and two on the floor exercise. Now, she has added another to her impressive repertoire: “Biles II” on vault.

In 2021, she elevated the sport to new heights by flawlessly executing the Yurchenko double pike vault, a feat never before accomplished by a female gymnast. She first performed this ground-breaking move at the GK US Classic, but it was not officially named after her as she had yet to compete on the global stage. However, that has now changed.

Simone Biles makes history once more

In an announcement on X by NBC Olympics & Paralympics, it was declared: ?SIMONE HAS DONE IT! Simone Biles is the first female gymnast to perform the Yurchenko double pike on vault internationally, and the skill is now officially called the “Biles II.” #Antwerp2023?

During the Women?s Qualifications Day 1 at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Simone Biles once again made history. In the fourth rotation, she became the first female gymnast to execute a Yurchenko double pike vault internationally. This element will now be recorded in the gymnastics rule book as the “Biles II,” marking her fifth named element. Biles’ accomplishment put her among the few men who had ventured way back in 2021.

Shattering the boundaries

When she first achieved the feat, David Sender, a 38-year-old veterinarian from Auburn, Alabama, who had also executed the move at the U.S. Championships in 2009 and 2012, as well as the 2012 Olympic Trials, said, “My first impression was, wow, I think that was better than when I did it.” In 2021, Sender was among a select group of male gymnasts known to have performed the Yurchenko double pike in competition.

China’s Yang Wei may have been the first in 2002, but the vault was later named after him by the International Gymnastics Federation, despite it originally being a variation of the Yurchenko double tuck performed by Greek gymnast Ioannis Melissanidis in the late 1990s. Building a league of her own Biles has four elements to her name one on the vault called “Biles”. One on the balance beam called “Biles”, and two on the floor exercise called “Biles” and “Biles II”.

Read more: Absent From Team USA Due to Kindey Issues, Suni Lee Supports Simone Biles and Squad Ahead of World Artistic Gymnastics Championship 2023

As Simone Biles achieves the distinction of being the first woman to perform this vault at both the national and international levels, she not only blazes a trail but also exemplifies audacity and brilliance. Her performance was nothing short of spectacular, earning her a score of 15.266, contributing to her total all-around score of 58.865.

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