Simone Biles Returns with a Vengeance at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic

By: Zachary Draves

Before a sold out crowd in the Chicago suburb of Hoffman Estates, Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast ever, made her much anticipated return to gymnastics at the 2023 Core Hydration Classic, otherwise known as the US Classic. This competition marks her first appearance since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in which she won a silver and bronze medal. 

It was also during those games that she made news for prioritizing her mental health after enduring the “twisties” and feeling as if she wasn’t up to par for her team. It was that moment that endeared her to millions and helped spark a greater awareness about mental health in sports.  

Since then, Biles got married to Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens and maintained a relatively low profile. Now with the 2024 Paris Olympics one year away, she is destined to be better than ever. 

Better than ever was a profound understatement to describe her performance. 

The 26 year old and 32 time Olympic and World Championship medalist dazzled by winning the all around, floor exercise, and beam. She also captured a bronze in the uneven bars. The crowd roared everytime her name was announced and even during her warmups all eyes were on her. Every move she made was recorded for posterity.

(Courtesy: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

But without question her most celebrated moment was her spectacular vault to close out the evening. She completed a Yurcheknso double pike to almost literal perfection and received a score of 15.400. It was that moment that gave her an all around winning score of 59.100. 

Not to be outdone, the newest generation of US gymnasts were able to showcase their exploits in dramatic fashion. 

Leanne Wong (University of Florida) won the silver medal in the all around with a score of 54.100. Joscelyn Roberson (World Champions) walked away with the bronze medal in the all around with a score of 54.050. Zoe Miller (World Champions) had the highest score in the uneven bars with a score of 14.750. 

Biles’ fellow 2020 Olympian Suni Lee came in second in the beam with a score of 14.500 and scored a 13.500 on the vault. 

Biles and four other gymnasts qualified for the 2023 US Gymnastics Championships (August 24-27) in San Jose, California based on their all around scores. They include, Kayla DiCello (Hill’s Gymnastics) Amelia Disidore (Great American Gymnastics Express) Kaliya Lincoln (WOGA Gymnastics) and Eveylynn Lowe (Great American Gymnastics Express). 

(Courtesy: Amy Sanderson/Zuma Press)

Lee qualified for San Jose based on her two score totals.  

Afterwards, Biles was as energetic and happy as one could imagine. She talked at length about the journey she has been on and what lies ahead for her. She was also taken back by the level of support that was shown to her by all in attendance and on social media. 

“The amount of outpouring of loving support that I had on Twitter, on Instagram, and in the arena is shocking and surprising that they still have so much belief in me and it makes my heart warm” she said. 

She did say that while she has much more work to do to get back into her true form, she remains confident and focuses on living in the moment as much as possible. In addition, Biles says that she feels she is in better shape than she was in Tokyo. 

“With the proper work and the proper help I knew I could come back and have a shot” she said. “It’s just about really taking care of my body right and that is what we are doing and it is working.”

Whatever happens from here is anyone’s guess, but the GOAT is back in full swing and it was almost as if she hadn’t skipped a beat.