New Faces: Simone Biles (USA)

Simone Biles is a name that is beginning to become familiar in the gymnastics world. As a junior, she was well-known for her abilities on the power events, showing an explosive Amanar on vault and dynamic tumbling on floor. Born in Ohio in '97, she now trains at Bannon's Gymnastix in Spring, Texas. 

Simone competes on floor exercise at 2012 Secret Classic

The height of this stag jump shows the immense height that she gets in her rebound after a tumble run! 

She has made rapid improvements over the past two years and, along with Katelyn Ohashi (WOGA), was selected to represent her country at the prestigious American Cup held this weekend. Simone already has impressive skills including a stellar Amanar (which she plans to upgrade to a triple-turning Yurchencko). If she competes this at an FIG-sanctioned event, she will be the first woman ever to compete this vault. 

Here is Simone's Amanar from the Secret Classic last year, where she earned a whopping 16.05

She uses a full-in dismount off beam, which is extremely difficult to perform (the same dismount used by Shawn Johnson in 2008). She also has impressive leaps but will need to learn to harness her power! However, the apparatus where she really shines is the floor exercise. She has is capable of major tumbling passes, including a full-twisting double layout, a double-double and a double-layout to name a few! I have a feeling that she will emerge as one of the top floor workers of the American squad over the next quadrennium.

Here is her floor routine from podium training at the 2013 American Cup, held this weekend

Simone performed extremely well for her senior debut and despite a fall on beam performed well against Olympians to take 2nd behind Katelyn Ohashi. Her nerves showed a bit, but she did extremely well under the pressure. More confident performances will come with experience and I can't wait to see how this gymnast progresses over the years to come- good luck to Simone! She seems like a lovely and fun-loving person and is delighted to be part of such a big event.

Media Day at the 2013 American Cup

From the camp: Getting to know Simone

Article by Imogen Browne (@Iflip4gymblog)