Simone Biles pens note after World Championships success in Antwerp: "Doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport"

Simone Biles recently penned a heartfelt post after the conclusion of the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. By competing in Antwerp, Belgium this year, the legendary gymnast completed a full circle of 10 years in her world championship career. Remembering her journey, she expressed her gratitude.

Simone Biles’ participation at the 2023 World Championships was special in many ways. Firstly, it was her first major international event after returning from her two-year mental health break. Moreover, her career’s first world championship experience happened in Antwerp in 2013. It was Biles’s iconic return to the same place where she achieved two gold medals, one silver medal, and a bronze medal.

By competing in the 2023 World Championships, Simone Biles became the first American gymnast to represent the country for the sixth time. She was unstoppable at this year's event, winning four gold medals in the team, all-around, balance beam, and floor exercise events and also a silver medal in vault. Moreover, she made history by winning her sixth gold medal in the all-around event.

So, remembering her achievements at the world championships, the 26-year-old posted her pictures from the event and wrote on her Instagram post,

“world championships!!!!! whew Antwerp will always hold a special place in my heart,” she wrote.

While performing in the vault in the all-around event, Biles stunned the world by displaying the Yurchenko double pike vault, a move mostly performed by male gymnasts. Impressed by her terrific performance, the world championship organizers named the skill after her as Biles II.

In her Instagram post, she mentioned getting another skill named after her,

"The first time I got a skill named after me was in this arena & 10 years later I got my 5th skill named… I’m speechless. I’m honored. I’m excited and I’m blessed!"

Lastly, she also added,

"doing it for the little girl who fell in love with the sport!!!!!" Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love & support 🖤"

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Simone Biles’ mental health journey began in 2020

Simone Biles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics

During the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Simone Biles faced ‘twisties’ while performing on the international stage. According to the gymnast, the experience froze her and prevented her from performing at that juncture.

It made Biles realize how much her mental health had been affected by years of performance and competition pressure. At that moment, she decided to step away from the Olympic stage and focus on her mental well-being. The gymnast took a two-year break from the sport, spending time with her family and loved ones. During this time, she married the love of her life, Jonathan Owens. Finally, after a long break, she first made her comeback at the 2023 US Classic.