Simone Biles becomes first woman to land Yurchenko double pike

By Alyssa Wilson Published: May 24, 2021

Simone Biles becomes first woman to land Yurchenko double pike

Gold medalist Simone Biles of the United States waits to perform on the floor in the women's apparatus finals at the Gymnastics World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Biles is pressing on to the 2021 Olympics. While she's confident her body will be fine next summer, she is concerned about the mental toll of another year of training. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)

By: Alyssa Wilson

Simone Biles has made history again after becoming the first woman to land the Yurchenko double pike at the U.S. Classic.

The first woman in history to land a Yurchenko double pike in competition.

Our jaws are on the floor. @Simone_Biles is still in the air. #USClassic pic.twitter.com/CmJYRidtfo

— Team USA (@TeamUSA) May 23, 2021

Biles completed the move while wearing a leotard with a rhinestone goat, a tribute to her being the Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T). The move has only ever been completed and landed by men before Biles historic accomplishment. This was the five-time Olympic medalist’s first time competing in over a year since she won the fifth all-around title at the 2019 World Championships, Sports Illustrated reported.

Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics was pushed back due to COVID-19, Biles said she wouldn’t try the move during the event. “In gymnastics, almost everything has been done so when you push boundaries, there is a risk factor — risk vs reward,” she said. “Gymnastics can be a dangerous sport, so you have to be smart.”

The 24-year-old has a lengthy list of career highlights, including the 2019 AP Female Athlete of the Year, Team USA’s 2019 Female Olympic Athlete of the Year, and 25 World medals. Landing the Yurchenko double pike was not her introduction into historic fetes. Biles was also the first woman to win five World all-around titles, the first woman to win three World Balance Beam titles and the first woman to win five World Floor Exercise titles.

Start Your Day hosts Sharon Reed and Mike Hill reacted to the Biles’ historic accomplishment, commending her strength and skill. “She’s so powerful,” Reed said.

#StartYourDay hosts @SharonReedLive + @ItsMikeHill reacts to @Simone_Biles becoming the first woman to land the Yurchenko double pike. Watch live: https://t.co/mpKQ1GrIAn pic.twitter.com/SJjN68WWqQ

— BNC (@BNCNews) May 24, 2021