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ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS

Simone Biles voted AP female athlete of the year: Is she the most decorated female gymnast in history?

The American gymnast won her record eighth US national champoinship in her return to gymnastics in 2023

Svetozar Pavlović
Svetozar Pavlovićceletozasveta
The American gymnast won her record eighth US national champoinship in her return to gymnastics in 2023
YVES HERMANREUTERS

Not bad for a 26-year old who returned to the sport after suffering “the twisties” at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Nobody knew if she would return to compete, but in 2023 she came back as strong as ever and won the coveted AP female athlete of the year award for the third time.

Simone Biles made history by winning her 20th gold medal at the World Championships, setting a new record for the most medals at the Olympic Games and World Championships, with a total of 33 medals, making her the best athlete of all time.

US' Simone Biles and Winner US' team celebrate on the podium after the Women's Team Final during the 52nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, in Antwerp, northern Belgium, on October 4, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)
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US' Simone Biles and Winner US' team celebrate on the podium after the Women's Team Final during the 52nd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships, in Antwerp, northern Belgium, on October 4, 2023. (Photo by KENZO TRIBOUILLARD / AFP)KENZO TRIBOUILLARDAFP

Ten years ago, at the age of 16, Simone Biles won her first World Cup medal in Antwerp. Until now, she was tied with Soviet gymnast Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics and World Championships. However, Latynina still holds the record for the most Olympic medals, having won 18.

The Brazilian women, who have the current world all-around champion Rebeka Andrada in their team, were thrilled to win the silver medal. The French women won the bronze medal with 164,064 points less than ten months before the Olympic Games. Their impressive performance made gymnastics even more popular in France.