'Super excited' Simone Biles right at home in Belgium
The 19-time World champion got her first chance to test out the equipment during official practice ahead of the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp
Artistic Gymnastics
If seven-time Olympic medallist Simone Biles had any nerves during her official practice session Thursday (28 September 2023) ahead of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Beligum, it was hard to tell.
"The whole team did great. Simone did great getting her, you know, spacing, everything," said coach Cecile Landi, a 1996 Olympian, "[She was] a little nervous before we walked in, but I think it was a great practice."
The 26-year-old, who is making her international return after a break from the sport following the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, dazzled on all four events, starting on the uneven bars where she performed as Team USA's third competitor.
On the balance beam, the 19-time World champion was again solid, finishing her routine with a well-controlled full-twisting, double back dismount.
When the U.S. moved to the floor exercise, Biles soared on her tumbling including her signature 'Biles' element, a double layout with a half twist which was named in her honour 10 years ago in Antwerp at her debut global event. At those Championships, she won four medals: all-around and floor exercise gold, vault silver and balance beam bronze.
She's dominated the sport since.
"She's super excited," Landi said of Biles' return to Antwerp. "I think that was also one reason that pushed her to come back. It made sense 10 years later to come back after her first world title. So, I think this place has a special place in her heart."
Biles' highlight came on her final training event the vault where she performed her unprecedented Yurchenko double pike vault that will become her fifth named element should she perform it successfully when competition begins on Saturday (30 September).
After withdrawing from the women's team final and four subsequent individual finals at the Tokyo Games to priortise her mental health, Biles has put wholistic wellbeing and a changed approach at the fore of return to the sport.
“I think what success means to me is a little bit different than before because before everyone defined success for me, even if I had my own narrative that I wanted,” Biles told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview prior to the global event. “So, now, it’s just showing up, being in a good head place, having fun out there, and whatever happens, happens.”
Biles and Team USA get their competition underway on Sunday (1 October) in the second of 10 women's qualifying subdivisions.