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Imago

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Imago

Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, Simone Biles has cemented her legacy as one of gymnastics’ greatest icons. With 23 world titles and seven Olympic gold medals, she has time and again led Team USA to glory. After more than a decade at the top, it’s hard to imagine the sport without her. Yet, this year, Biles has taken a well-earned hiatus following back-to-back competitions — but that hasn’t stopped her from passionately supporting her teammates from the sidelines.

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Most of the world’s elite gymnasts, including Suni Lee and Jade Carey, are on a post-Paris Olympics hiatus, giving the next generation a chance to shine. Simone Biles joined that club after her gold medal triumph in 2024, savoring time with family and friends. Fresh off a girls’ trip to the British Virgin Islands, she’s now embracing a slower pace back home.

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From her Instagram posts, it is evident that she is enjoying time with her family and her two French Bulldogs, Lilo and Rambo. She has also been spending time with her horses. After her girls’ trip to the British Virgin Islands, she returned to Las Vegas and later traveled to the Windy City, Chicago, to attend the Chicago Bears’ annual Family Fest event at Soldier Field. After her small visit to Chicago, she left for Texas to relax with her parents.

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Now that she’s back home and breathing a sigh of relief, she’s supporting her people. Several members of Team WCC are competing at the Xfinity Championship. According to their official X handle, 20% of their senior women are participating in the event. Some of them are Dulcy Caylor, Jordis Eichman, Reese Esponda, Brooke Pierson, and Tiana Sumanasekera.

In addition, former WCC member Joscelyn Roberson is also participating in the event alongside her former WCC teammates. While Biles is taking a break from competition, she hasn’t forgotten to support her peers. On her Instagram story, she applauded Roberson’s amazing performance by sharing a clip of it.

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So, how did they perform? Day 2 of the championship ranking stands at:

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  1. Hezly Rivera – WOGA – 55.600
  2. Joscelyn Roberson – University of Arkansas – 55.400
  3. Leanne Wong – University of Florida – 55.100
  4. Dulcy Caylor – 53.800
  5. Gabrielld Hardle – Twin City Twisters – 53.750
  6. Ashlee Sullivan – Metroplex – 53.700
  7. Simone Rose – Pacific Reign – 53.450
  8. Izzy Stassi – Gym X-Treme – 53.300
  9. Tiana Sumanasekera – 53.100
  10. Brooke Pierson – 52.450

While WCC athletes put on a solid performance, they still fell short against their opponents, except for Joscelyn Roberson, who continued to showcase her trademark consistency. One should expect nothing less from Team USA’s alternate for the Paris Olympics 2024.

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But one question that lingers is whether Biles is serious about her hiatus. Well, she has kept the doors open for the 2028 Las Vegas Olympics.

Simone Biles might compete at the 2028 Las Vegas Olympics

Simone Biles and comeback should be synonyms at this point. After both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, Biles stepped away from the sport for some time, only to come back stronger. Two years after Rio, she reclaimed dominance with consecutive World all-around titles in 2018 and 2019. After her Tokyo stint, she repeated the same cycle and returned in 2023 to capture another World crown and then Olympic gold in 2024.

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And now, after the Paris Olympics, she is doing the same.

However, is this her end?  Talking to the media, she expressed, “I’m grateful that if this (Paris) was the end, that I got to choose my ending.” With over a decade of dominance, Biles has long been the face of gymnastics, and it appears the time has come for her retirement…or maybe not.

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Biles has not ruled out her potential LA 2028 run. This would be her first time competing in her home nation, and she might want to compete as well.

“There’s more to it…we’ll definitely see,” said Biles. When asked if she is done with gymnastics, she stated, “Absolutely not.” Even if she never salutes a judge again, the sport will remain in her heart forever. Because that’s what defines Simone Biles…

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Suryakant Das

3,440 Articles

Suryakant Das is a senior writer who leads UFC live coverage at EssentiallySports, known for his broad expertise and standout professionalism in MMA journalism. Over two years in the field, he has become a key voice on real-time event updates, pre- and post-fight interviews, and analysis of viral moments from the Joe Rogan Experience. His dynamic reporting is backed by selection to the Journalistic Excellence Program, which hones advanced editorial skills and strategic coverage approaches for top talent. Suryakant’s career is defined by his ability to deliver both speed and depth. His versatile background spans sports journalism, content writing, and editorial roles, helping him navigate fast-paced live coverage and deliver meaningful stories with clarity and precision. Recognition from respected MMA figures such as Nina-Marie Daniele and Hall of Famer Michael Bisping further marks him as a trusted authority in the UFC community.

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Ahana Chatterjee

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