Simone Biles lands historic vault at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, move named after her

ByJames Hilsum

Updated 20/03/2024 at 11:17 GMT

It was another landmark day in the career of Simone Biles as she successfully landed a Yurchenko double pike vault at the World Artistic Gymnastic Championships – now dubbed the Biles II. It is regarded as the trickiest jump in the women's vault, but the 26-year-old managed it with aplomb. Biles is continuing her impressive resurgence after taking a two-year break to prioritise her mental health.

Simone Biles added another milestone to her glittering career after becoming the first woman to perform a Yurchenko double pike vault – now officially dubbed the Biles II – at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

The 26-year-old has returned to the sport with a bang, with her latest performance helping her into top spot in all-around qualifying.

Biles scored 15.266 for landing the Yurchenko double pike, recognised as the hardest jump in the women’s vault.

Olympic Games Paris 2024

‘Give it all I’ve got!’ – Whitlock to retire after Paris Olympics

10/04/2024 at 06:53

Her latest feat comes after winning the US Classic, and breaking a 90-year-old American record at the US Gymnastic Championships with a superb floor routine to secure an eighth all-around title.

Speaking at the time, she said: "I've been doing it for so long that I don't think about numbers, I think about my performance and overall I hit eight for eight.

"Eight is the lucky number this year."

• Tweddle relishing Biles and Whitlock return to World Artistic Gymnastics Championships
• Biles wins US Classic on return to gymnastics after two-year mental health break

Biles’ recent performances are all the more remarkable given she took a two-year break to work on her mental health after suffering with the 'twisties' – a temporary loss of spatial awareness in mid-air – at the Tokyo Olympics.

So far, she is remaining tight-lipped about what her aims are going into the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

"I like to keep them personal just so that I know what I'm aiming for," she added.

"It's better that way. I'm trying to move a little bit differently this year than I have in the past and it's working so far."

Max Whitlock of Great Britain during Day One of the 2023 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Sportpaleis on September 30, 2023 in Antwerpen, Belgium.

Image credit: Getty Images

Elsewhere, there were impressive performances for the British teams as Max Whitlock, Harry Hepworth, Jake Jarman, James Hall and Courtney Tulloch came third in qualifying to book a place in Tuesday’s men's team final.

The women’s team of Jessica Gadirova, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella, Georgia-Mae Fenton and Ruby Evans sit in second place. Qualification will resume on Monday, with the final on Wednesday.

- - -

The Olympic Games will return with Paris 2024, live on Eurosport and discovery+

Olympic Games Paris 2024

‘I should have quit way before Tokyo’ – Biles on mental health and ‘twisties’

20/03/2024 at 11:18

Olympic Games Paris 2024

'I wouldn't change it for the world' - Biles proud of Olympics struggles

20/03/2024 at 11:19

Artistic Gymnastics

Athletes abused by former USA Gymnastics doctor Nassar reach settlement

13/12/2021 at 21:08