Yurchenko double pike- the most difficult vault in women’s gymnastics, and for good reason. And in 2021, Simone Biles dared to be the first to attempt this skill in competition, although she couldn’t quite pull it off. The entire vault lasts only around six seconds, but in those fleeting moments, your fate hangs by a thread. It can either end your career or turn you into a legend which was very well documented in Simone Biles’s Netflix Rising series episode 2.
Anyone who has honed this airborne skill in sports can relate to the frightening sensation of suddenly being lost in the air experience known as the twisties. After Simone Biles withdrew from the team final in the Tokyo Olympics, she acknowledged that she was “having a little bit of the twisties.” This wasn’t her first encounter with the phenomenon; she revealed it started at the beginning of 2019, and she had also forgotten how to twist and flip. However, “Rising” season 2, shows her journey after Tokyo when she came back and how she felt.
In October 2023, in Antwerp, Belgium, Simone Biles gave the crowd exactly what it had been clamoring for. “I’ll not be broken,” she seemed to declare as she strode towards the vault in a striking blue glittery leotard. Commentators echoed the rarity of her choice: “the Yurchenko double pike,” noting, “no other woman is attempting this.” They emphasized the daunting difficulty of the maneuver, remarking, “this, I don’t know if anybody even thinks how difficult it is.” Saying at the moment, Biles confessed, “I was so nervous. it’s been two years since I’ve competed on an international stage. That arena setup just takes you back to Tokyo.”
As Simone Biles reminisces about her experience in Tokyo, recalling both her challenges with the Yurchenko double pike and her faults, she looks ahead to the present Artistic Gymnastics Championships (at that time) with a mixture of apprehension. She candidly admits her fears: “Most of the time, I’m afraid that if I miss my leg, I’ll probably land on my head. If you slip your hand, I mean, you could literally be paralyzed.” Despite these daunting thoughts, she prepares herself to show her strength, declaring, “everything happens so fast; anything could go wrong.” Finally, with focused intensity, Simone Biles races down the runway and she succeeds!!
In the fourth rotation, Simone Biles flawlessly executed the Yurchenko double-pike vault. She scored 15.266 for a total of 58.865 in the all-around competition. Biles faced a 0.5 penalty for coach Landi standing on the podium. Commentators lauded her performance as “unbelievable,” while Biles herself reflected, “Just land on your feet, salute, and you’re good. Like, it’s named after you; it’s done.” And Since then there has been no looking back! But fast-forward to today, has Simone Biles overcome the twisties?
Has Simone Biles bounced back from the twisties completely?
Simone Biles has made an unexpected and outstanding return from the twisties that troubled her during the Tokyo Games, securing a bronze medal in the balance beam. Looking ahead, as she has qualified for the Paris Olympics, she confidently declared, “I’m fine. I’m twisting again. No worries. All is good.” Her comeback journey ended in securing her third consecutive Olympic appearance at the US trials.
Critics who have been questioning her resolve after Tokyo, Biles bluntly remarked, “They’ll still say, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re going to quit again?’ And like, if I did, what are you going to do about it? Tweet me some more? I’ve already dealt with it for three years. They want to see us fail.” She expressed disappointment in those who eagerly await athletes’ downfalls, stressing the irreplaceable contributions athletes like her make to sports. Well, we all know a GOAT is a GOAT, and when it comes to mental health, taking care of yourself is as important as anything else. Biles showed that putting your health first is the key to lasting success, proving that it’s essential to look after number one no matter what else you prioritize.
