By Miguel Rapetti
Aug 27, 2023, 22:27 PM EDT
Gymnast Simone Biles managed to make history this Sunday by winning her eighth national title during the competition that was held in San José, California, thus breaking a record that had been in force since 1933.
Biles won a new local event to add the 2023 trophy to those he previously won in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2021, thus surpassing Alfred Jochim’s record of seven honours.
In addition, the 26-year-old athlete also became the oldest gymnast to win the American championship.
Biles’ victory was already well underway after she finished Saturday with 59,300 points, well ahead of rivals Shilese Jones (56,550 points) and Skye Blakey (55,700 points).
Now, this Sunday Biles opened his night with the jump and he did it with elegance and conviction despite wearing a bandage on his right ankle. He had 14,850 points and was already more than 3,000 points ahead of Jones at halfway through his test.
She maintained her high level on the uneven bars, on the balance and put the icing on the cake to her victory with the floor, in which she added 15,400 points.
He triumphed with a total of 118,400 points and received a standing ovation from the public for his extraordinary floor exercise.
“It was fantastic, everyone believes in me, my teammates, my coaches, my family. I just have to start believing in myself a little bit more,” Biles said after finishing her test.
Despite the fact that Biles’ return has been triumphant after a long hiatus of more than two years since Tokyo 2020, conquering national and international competitions, the gymnast is cautious when speaking about her hypothetical participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“I would like to keep my personal goals, to know what I’m aiming for, I think it’s better. I’m trying to act a little differently from the past. It’s working for now,” she closed.
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