Gymnast Simone Biles made history with an epic maneuver at the end of her balance beam routine.
Biles performed the move on August 9, on the first night of women’s competition at the 2019 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, in Kansas City, Missouri, according to a news release from Team USA.
Biles became the first person to ever attempt and land a double-twisting double somersault dismount off a balance beam.
First Day of Competition
Overall, Biles was disappointed with her performance on the first day of women’s competition. She looked shaky in her routine on the balance beam, before the historical dismount redeemed her, during her last event of the night.
“I just want to throw it in the trash and start over,” Biles said about her performance, via the Team USA news release.
But the double-twisting double somersault dismount is set to become the third maneuver named after the celebrated gymnast. She needs to perform it in an international competition to make the naming official.
Biles is 22-years-old and the most decorated gymnast ever. She is considered by many to be the best gymnast of all-time. She also tried out another newly invented move during her floor routine. She was so close to another history-making move, but her hands hit the mat before she could complete it.
Biles attempt a triple-twisting, double back somersault and failed, the Olympic Channel reported.
“It’s just so annoying because I’ve never [fallen forward on the triple-double] in the gym, so I had a lot more adrenaline than I wanted. I’ll come back Sunday, and hopefully it’ll go better,” Biles said via the Team USA news release. “Honestly as soon as I fell on floor, I was like, that’s it I’m scratching the meet, I’m walking off the floor. On my last pass, I felt like I had tears in my eyes and that’s the only time I truly felt sorry for myself in a real long time, but you have to keep the momentum going.”
Despite her disappointment, Biles finished the night in the first place.
The second and final day of women’s competition at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships is Aug. 11. Scores will be combined from two alternating days of the women’s competition and two alternating days of the men’s competition to determine the respective winners.
Controversy Arises Before the Competition Starts
Biles is a four-time Olympic champion and a 14-time world champion. Her appearance at the competition was not without controversy. While talking to reporters in Kansas City. Biles expressed disappointment in USA Gymnastics’ failure to protect its gymnasts from sex predator Larry Nassar, KSHB reported.
Feelings… ???? #MeToo pic.twitter.com/ICiu0FCa0n
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 15, 2018
Nassar used to be the team doctor at USA Gymnastics. During his time working at that organization, the U.S. Olympic team, and Michigan State University, he sexually abused hundreds of gymnasts. Biles was among those abused. Nassar used his credentials as a doctor to pass his activities off as administering medical care.
Nassar eventually pled guilty to sexual assault and possession of child pornography, the Los Angeles Times reported.
“It’s not easy coming back to the sport, coming back to the organization that has failed you,” said Biles, via the Los Angeles Times. “It’s not easy being out here. I feel every day is a reminder of what I went through and what I’ve been through and what I’m going through and how I’ve come out of it. I try just not to think about it.”
