Simone Biles of the United States won the gold medal in the women’s individual all-around gymnastics competition on Thursday. Right behind her was Aly Raisman, also of the United States, winning the silver. Aliya Mustafina took the bronze medal.
Simone Biles wins 2016 Olympic women’s individual all-around gold medal in gymnastics
After helping the United States to a team gold all-around, Simone Biles earned gold in the individual all-around gymnastics competition on Thursday.
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
After the first event, Biles was in the lead, but after the second -- when she took part in her least-favorite event, the uneven bars -- Biles was passed up by Mustafina, who led by 0.034 points. At that stage, Raisman was in fourth place behind Seda Tutkhalyan. But Mustafina struggled on the balance beam, putting up a 13.866, which Biles quickly eclipsed with a stellar score of 15.433.
After the third rotation, Biles was on top with a score of 46.265, Mustafina was in second at 44.732 and Raisman had a score of 44.665 in third, with the floor exercise being the final event. Mustafina only managed a 13.933 on the floor exercise, meaning Biles needed just a 12.400 to earn the gold and Raisman needed a 14.000 or better to take the silver medal.
Raisman nailed it, putting up a 15.433, giving her the silver medal. Biles didn’t need to put up her best to win, but she had a great routine anyway and earned the gold medal. Her score was a stellar 15.933 in that final rotation.
Biles has been favored to take all-around gold at these Olympics for years. She’s the most hyped American gymnast of seemingly all time, and many have begun calling her the best ever, even at such a young age. Biles has won four consecutive all-around titles at the world championships. Olympic gold in the individual all-around was the thing missing from her cabinet.
Olympic gold in general was not missing, however. Biles was part of a women’s gymnastics team for the United States that absolutely dominated the rest of the pack. While US men hung on gamely and failed to earn a medal in their team event, the women, led by Biles, completely crushed everyone else and earned the gold there.
The individual all-around gold was icing on the cake.
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