Simone Biles claims record-extending ninth title at U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Seven-time Olympic medallist Simone Biles grabbed a historic ninth all-around crown Sunday (2 June) at the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas. It’s the next step in her quest for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which begin in less than two months.

Biles totalled a massive 119.750, nearly six points clear of Skye Blakely (113.850). Kayla DiCello (110.800) was third.

“Today, it was just getting out there and getting comfortable and confident in my gymnastics and hopefully going to Olympic trials and making that next step towards Paris,” Biles told U.S. broadcaster NBC afterward.

“I couldn’t be more proud of how I’m doing this time of the year, just getting that confidence. Over and over, getting myself back in front of the crowd. And just doing what I do in practice.”

Reigning Olympic all-around champion Sunisa Lee was competing on all four events for the first time in elite gymnastics since capturing gold at Tokyo 2020. She finished fourth at 110.650.

Two-time world all-around medallist Shilese Jones withdrew from the event with a shoulder injury on Friday (31 May).

Biles, 27, already owned the most U.S. crowns in history with eight total (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) coming into the event. Sunday’s title extends her record to nine.

Friday night was the first time she had broken the 60.000 mark since the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials.

Biles’ individual scores on the second day of competition were 15.000, vault; 14.400, uneven bars; 14.800, balance beam; 15.100, floor exercise; with her only error of the weekend coming on an overrotated vault Sunday.

She swept the individual apparatus titles. Biles had previously won all five gold medals at the U.S. Championships just once, in 2018.

‘She’s taking charge of her own gymnastics:’ Shilese Jones plans path to peak for debut Olympic berth
Simone Biles, Shilese Jones and Suni Lee take next steps toward Paris 2024 at U.S. Championships.