37 – A lucky number? In gymnastics, it stands head and shoulders above the rest!! And who’s the standout with 37 medals all to herself? She’s also been the gold standard for girls the world over to follow in her aspirational footsteps. Simone Biles– the tour de force of gymnastics, ladies and gentlemen. When you tally up her Olympic and world championship haul, Simone Biles reigns supreme as the most decorated gymnast in history, regardless of gender. Her collection includes seven Olympic medals – four golds, one silver, and two bronze – along with an astonishing 30 world championship medals, of which 23 are gold. She’s not just a face; she’s the lynchpin of gymnastics.

But here’s where it gets intriguing. Recently, comparisons have arisen between Simone and Chinese male gymnasts, and the reasons behind these comparisons are as unexpected as a sudden twist in a gymnastics routine. Among the standout Chinese athletes heading to the Paris Olympics are Zou Jingyuan, Xiao Ruoteng, Liu Yang, Zhang Boheng, and Sun Wei, each with impressive achievements.

Take Zou Jingyuan, for example, the reigning Olympic champion in parallel bars. Known for his flawless technique, he’s often cited as a textbook example in gymnastics circles. Zou’s dedication is evident as he stated, ‘My goal for the parallel bars is definitely the gold medal”. He has collected a total of 9 medals, including a gold in the parallel bars at Tokyo 2020 and a bronze in the team event. His tally includes 7 world championship medals, with an impressive 5 golds – truly setting the bar high.

Meanwhile, Xiao Ruoteng, the stalwart team captain, continues to excel, especially after his standout performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2022. As he confidently declared, ‘Our goal is, of course, the gold medal.’ Xiao boasts 11 medals in his career, including 3 Olympic medals and 8 world championship medals, with 3 golds.

Moving on to Liu Yang, the Olympic champion in still rings, who is determined to defend his title and play a pivotal role in his team’s success. Liu expressed his ambitions, stating, ‘I want to win the team gold first and then focus on the individual events.‘ He shines with a total of 9 medals, including a double Olympic gold in rings at Tokyo 2020 and a team bronze, alongside 7 world championship medals, including 3 golds.

Zhang Boheng, a linchpin in the men’s team, has elevated their roster as an accomplished all-around gymnast, with the team aiming to strike gold in the upcoming event. Zhang has already secured 3 medals from world championships, including 2 golds. And last Sun Wei has secured a total of 5 medals, including a team bronze at Tokyo 2020 and 4 world championship medals, out of which 2 are gold proving his prowess in gymnastics. Up to this point, everything seems near-perfect, but perhaps one thing has slipped under the radar.

The combined medal haul of Chinese gymnasts Zou Jingyuan, Xiao Ruoteng, Liu Yang, Zhang Boheng, and Sun Wei totals 9+11+9+3+5=37 medals, a tally matching the individual count of Simone Biles’s total medals. This revelation has set the gymnastics abuzz, sparking widespread astonishment. The buzz reached a fever pitch when Kensley Behel shared this post, causing a sensation across Twitter.

Fans are in disbelief as Simone Biles raises the bar in gymnastics

Ever since this bombshell dropped, fans have been making astonishing comparisons. One fan passionately wrote, “They should really rename all the awards for men’s & women’s after Simone. Rename the competition after her, too. She IS gymnastics.” Simone Biles holds seven Olympic medals, including four golds earned at the 2016 Rio Olympics (team, all-around, vault, and floor). With just one more medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Biles will clinch the title of the most decorated American gymnast in Olympic history, surpassing Shannon Miller.

Another fan added to the discourse, stating, “The US women’s team has a combined 55 World & Olympic Medals. If you include the traveling alternatives, an even 60.”Well, the U.S. team heading to Paris includes Simone Biles leading the group, and Jade Carey, who has earned a total of 1 Olympic and 8 World Championship medals.

Jordan Chiles follows with 4 medals in major competitions, while Suni Lee contributes 6 medals to the tally. Hezly Rivera adds 2 medals but in junior World Championship accolades. Other notable achievers include Joscelyn Roberson with 1 World Championship medal and Leanne Wong, who has secured 4 World Championship medals. That means more than 60, that’s 62.

Adding to the acclaim, another supporter declared, “And that’s why there’s no debate she’s the GOAT✨,” affirming Biles’ status as the Greatest of All Time in gymnastics. Indeed, Simone Biles continues to dominate every competition. Earlier this June, she achieved a historic milestone by securing her ninth all-around crown at the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships held in Fort Worth, Texas.

In a similar tone, one more added, “My God 😂😂😂,” expressing disbelief generated by her achievements. Lastly, another fan chimed in with, “WILD stat 🤯,” highlighting the shock of the comparisons and Biles’ legacy in gymnastics. Well, do you believe there’s any gymnast, male or female, who even holds a candle to matching capabilities? What’s your perspective on it?