Simone Biles made history by winning her record ninth all-around title at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Texas. She also secured national titles on all four apparatuses, earning an automatic spot at the U.S. Olympic trials for the Paris Games. Biles started strong with a nearly flawless routine on the balance beam, despite a slight misstep on the floor exercise and a fall during the vault. She ultimately clinched her all-around title on the uneven bars in the final rotation.
Biles was joined by Skye Blakely, who finished second in the all-around standings, as the top two gymnasts who automatically qualified for the Olympic trials. The remaining three spots on the U.S. team for Paris will be determined at the trials, where the top five gymnasts will be named. Suni Lee, the reigning Olympic all-around champion, showcased strong routines after overcoming kidney issues from the previous season. She placed fourth in the all-around rankings but demonstrated her talent on the beam and uneven bars.
Despite some setbacks, such as a fall during the vault, Biles showed her support for Lee by offering words of encouragement after the competition. Lee expressed her admiration for Biles, highlighting her as one of her biggest inspirations. Kayla DiCello, Lee, and Jordan Chiles rounded out the top five finishers at the U.S. Championships. Shilese Jones, who withdrew due to a shoulder injury before the competition, was approved to compete at the Olympic trials, along with two other gymnasts who filed petitions.
On the men’s side, Brody Malone won his third all-around national title during the U.S. Championships, overcoming a serious knee injury from the previous season. Frederick Richard, the reigning world all-around bronze medalist, finished second to Malone and claimed victory in the floor exercise. The U.S. men’s gymnastics team for Paris will also be selected at the upcoming Olympic trials in Minneapolis, along with the women’s team.
Biles dominated the competition at the U.S. Championships, maintaining a significant lead over her competitors with a high score in the all-around event. This victory added to her impressive resume, which includes multiple world and Olympic medals. Biles’ return to competitive gymnastics after a break since the 2021 Olympic trials was marked by her outstanding performances, solidifying her status as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time.
If selected for the U.S. Olympic team in Paris, Biles will become the first American woman since Dominique Dawes to compete in three Olympic Games. Her consistent success at the national and international levels has solidified her legacy in the sport of gymnastics, inspiring a new generation of athletes. With her incredible skill and perseverance, Biles continues to break records and redefine what is possible in gymnastics.
