Simon Biles wins 6th Gold medal Antwerp October 2023
Artistic Gymnastics World Championships 2023: Simone Biles soars to sixth World all-around title, historic 34th medal
With the medal, the seven-time Olympic medallist becomes the sport’s most decorated ever
Simone Biles reclaimed the top spot, clinching gold in the women’s all-around final on Friday (6 October) at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Antwerp. This marks her sixth global title and the first since 2019.
As Biles entered the Sportspaleis, her megawatt smile illuminated the atmosphere, met with thunderous cheers from the enthusiastic audience, foreshadowing a victorious night. She achieved a total score of 58.399, surpassing defending champion Rebeca Andrade of Brazil (56.766). Shilese Jones, the 2022 World all-around silver medallist, secured the bronze with a score of 56.332.
Reflecting on her emotional victory, Biles expressed, “I was emotional because 10 years ago, I won my first Worlds, and now we’re back here. So, it was emotional. It means everything to me, the fight, everything that I’ve put in to get back to this place to feel comfortable and confident enough to compete.”
Biles’s triumph adds another chapter to her storied career, as she now stands as the sole gymnast to claim World all-around titles with a decade gap, her first title also achieved in the same venue in 2013. This achievement surpasses the records of legendary gymnasts Uchimura Kohei of Japan and Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina, whose first and last titles were six years apart.
Wearing a dazzling blue sequinned leotard, Biles’s victory solidifies her status as the sport’s brightest star. With six all-around crowns, she ties with Uchimura, and her total of 34 World and Olympic medals establishes her as the most decorated gymnast in the history of the sport, surpassing both male and female competitors. Previously tied with Vitaly Scherbo after the women’s team final title on Wednesday, Biles now stands alone at the pinnacle of gymnastic achievement.
Reflecting on her historic career, Biles shared, “All in all, I don’t think it will hit me until maybe I retire and then look back and see everything that I’ve done. Tonight, I think it was a good start.” Coach Laurent Landi acknowledged the scrutiny Biles faced before the competition, stating, “It still proves to myself and other people that I can do it, so I’m proud of the work that I’ve put in to get to this point. It’s just exciting that I keep going up each and every year, so I’m excited for what’s to come.”
