"I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t see anything" - When Simone Biles reflected on the time she considered quitting while mastering a maneuver

Simone Biles once reflected on the time she considered quitting while trying to learn a new skill. Biles began her gymnastic journey as a six-year-old when she attended a day-care field trip.

As of now, the legendary gymnast has five skills, Biles I (floor exercise), Biles I (vault), Biles (balance beam), Biles II (floor exercise), and Biles II (vault) named after her. Although she has stunned fans with her impeccable gymnastics skills, her journey to greatness witnessed numerous moments of challenges, setbacks, and unwavering perseverance.

In her autobiography Courage to Soar (2016), Biles recalled the time when she was trying to learn a giant - a skill on the high bar with her body completely extended, starting at the top of the bar in a vertical handstand, legs together and toes pointed to the sky - as an eight-year-old.

Simone Biles revealed that after she fell due to a mistake on the high bar, she expected sympathy from her coach Nicole. However, the latter insisted she get up and try again. Despite Biles' hesitation, the coach demanded her to attempt and physically helped Biles onto the bar. Recalling the moment, Biles wrote:

"I stood my ground, not mounting the bar, and Nicole was losing patience. 'You know what, Simone?' she (Nicole) said. 'You’re doing a giant right now.'

“You can’t make me!” I(Biles) said, crying harder. Nicole reached over and easily lifted my skinny eight-year-old frame, then placed my hands on the bar. At this point, I was sobbing so hard I couldn’t see anything."

The American went on to admit that she was able to gradually master the skill and perform giants confidently on the bars.

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Gymnastics skills named after Simone Biles

Simone Biles of the United States during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.(Photo via Getty Images)

So far Simone Biles has five gymnastic skills named after her. The Biles I (floor exercise), a double layout with a half-twist in the second flip was the first skill to be named after her. She performed the maneuver at the 2013 World Championships.

The Biles (Vault) a half-twist onto the vaulting table and a front double full somersault off was performed by her during the 2018 World Championships. The second The Biles II (Floor) a triple-double that she landed at the 2019 World Championships displayed two flips and three twists.

The Biles (Beam), a dismount from the balance beam with two twists and two flips was executed for the first time by her at the 2019 World Championship as well. The Biles II (Vault), featuring a Yurchenko-style vault with two flips in a pike position was named after her at the 2023 World Championships.