Simone Biles’s greatness as a gymnast—on the mat, on the balance beam, and on the bars—can’t be overstated. Just days ago she was crowned the most decorated female gymnast of all time at the gymnastics world championships in Stuttgart, Germany. And after a record-breaking performance on the morning of Sunday, October 13, her G.O.A.T. status has been cemented.
Biles became the most decorated gymnast, male or female, of all time by clinching two more gold medals at the gymnastics world championships. With wins in the balance beam and floor exercise, Biles has now earned a total of 25 world championship medals (19 of which are gold). The previous record holder for the greatest number of medals won at the world championships was male gymnast Vitaly Scherbo of Belarus, who has 23 medals. His record hadn’t been touched for 23 years, the New York Times reports.
Biles’s hard-earned wins came after two very different performances. First: her floor routine. She’s always been an expert in the floor exercise, so her gold medal in that category didn’t take spectators by surprise. The balance beam, however, has been more of a challenge for Biles in recent competitions—but she walked away with gold regardless. Watch the video, below, in which Biles finds out she won the balance beam event, breaking the world record.
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Speaking with reporters after her historic win, Biles said she was "thrilled" with her performance. "It was probably the highlight," she said. "It meant a lot because Cecile [Landi, her coach] has really been working on bringing my confidence back up to where it used to be on the beam, so to go out there and nail the routine just like I do in practice, it felt really good and I know she was really proud."
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Biles’s new title takes on extra meaning when the total number of events for male and female gymnasts are compared. Female gymnasts can compete in only six events at the world championships; men compete in eight. Biles had two fewer opportunities at each world championship to medal, yet she’s now ahead of the previous male record holder.
Days ago, Biles spoke with USA Today about her legacy as the most decorated female gymnast to enter the arena—and the mixed reactions people have to all of her success. “I’ve won five world titles, and if I say, ‘I’m the best gymnast there is,’ [the reaction is] ‘Oh, she’s cocky. Look at her now,’” Biles said. “No, the facts are literally on the paper. I think it’s important to teach [young girls] that.”
If there was any doubt before, there’s none now: Simone Biles is in fact the greatest gymnast of all time. Period.