Raisman is among the best gymnasts in the entire world, but Biles still beat her out by a stunning 2.1 points – a wider margin that any between 1980 and 2012 combined. But now the world knows why. She is the three-time world all-around champion, 2013-15; three-time world floor champion, 2013-15; two-time world balance beam champion, 2014, 2015; and four-time USA national all-around champion (2013-16).
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After a back-and-forth battle with several athletes in the final, Michael Phelps was decisively victorious in winning his fourth consecutive 200-meter individual medley title at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She by far pulled off the most technically hard vaults of everyone else in the event, and her two routines were absolutely flawless. Maria Paseka of Russian Federation won the silver medal, and Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland won the bronze.
U.S’ Alexandra Raisman got silver and Russia’s Aliya Mustafina third.
Simone Biles won the women’s vault final in the Rio Olympic Arena, setting a new mark for wins in a single Olympics by an American woman.
The U.S. team has several more chances to secure gold: Madison Kocian will be competing on the uneven bars and Laurie Hernandez on the balance beam.
Going last among the eight female finalists, Biles drilled her Amanar – a round off onto the block followed by 21/2 twists – and put up a 15.9 to take the lead.
Biles was born on March 14, 1997, making her 19-years-old today. Her attractive smile and powerful gymnastic routines lead her through this year’s Olympic Games giving people around the world something to be proud of.
When the standings after the second rotation flashed and Biles had slipped behind Russia’s Aliya Mustafina, the first time she had trailed in a competition – any competition – in nearly three years, it would have been easy to wonder if a small crack was beginning to show.
“Oh, yes, I did”, Biles said, finally beginning to grasp what she’s accomplished at the Rio Games.
That’s because gold has been out of reach for everyone but Biles for three years and counting.
Famous admirers of the gymnast have been full of praise for her performance, with Hillary Clinton tweeting: “Congrats on bringing home the gold and silver, Simone and Aly”.
Biles ended up beating Raisman by 2.1 points; however, their wins marked only the second time that two US gymnasts have finished 1-2 in an Olympic all-around. Likewise, Biles again demonstrated her prowess on the vault specifically with a score of 15.966.
“But sometimes when you make mistakes”, she added, “it’s the best thing for you”. Pommel horse is considered his strongest event as he is a four-time national champion and a two-time World finalist on the apparatus.
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In just over a week Biles and Manuel will be headed home, both hailed as trailblazers and more famous than they could ever have imagined. With so much passion and dedication, she is truly a pleasure to watch and inspiration for generations to come.
