Simon Biles is officially the GOAT (meaning the Greatest Of All Time) in the world of female gymnastics. The 22-year-old Olympian broke the record and became the most decorated female gymnast in history.
Simone Biles broke the record on Tuesday after she won her 21st World Championship medal at the Women’s Team Final in Stuttgart, Germany. Biles also helped Team USA won a fifth straight world team title, beating Russia by 5.801 points.
“Sometimes I wish I would quit,” Biles said, according to NBC Sports. “The other day, we walked out there, and I was like, I literally hate this feeling. I don’t know why I keep forcing myself to do it.”
“I hate that feeling like I’m going to puke before,” she added. “But, you know, we love the thrill of it. Reminds me to never give up because one day I won’t have the opportunity to get that feeling.”
Biles broke a record previously held by Russian gymnast Svetlana Khorkina. Khorkina had 20 medals when she retired in 2004 at age 25. She is now two medals shy of the overall record held by 1990s Belarusian male gymnast Vitaly Scherbo, NBC Sports reported.
Biles’ could break his record within days. She will compete in the Women’s All-Around Final on Thursday. Also, over the weekend, she will take part in four individual event finals.
Biles is the eldest member of Team USA. She won four gold medals at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. She said in March that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will be her last.
That’s some real black girl magic. Congratulations Simone!
