L to R Olympians Suni Lee (Auburn), Grace McCallum (Utah), Jordan Chiles (UCLA) as Simone Biles supports her teammates at Tokyo olympic games.
L to R Olympians Suni Lee (Auburn), Grace McCallum (Utah), Jordan Chiles (UCLA) as Simone Biles supports her teammates at Tokyo olympic games. Credit: Jon Gaede BVN/NNPA

Last Updated on October 9, 2023 by BVN

Jon D. Gaede | BVN Sports

The U.S. Women’s gymnastics team edged second place Brazil and third place France, to win their seventh consecutive world team title in Antwerp, Belgium. The dominance of the American women is an extraordinary achievement, as they have earned the gold in every world championship team event since 2011.

The makeup of this current U.S. team in Europe is a roster of new faces reflecting an abundance of youth and talent. A healthy Simone Biles, heads a diverse list that also includes Sky Blakely, Shilese Jones, Jocelyn Roberson, Leanne Wong and Kayla Dicello (replacement athlete).

For Simone Biles at just 26, she has accomplished more than any other gymnast in American history. A combined 32 world and Olympic medals, countless national honors and a following of millions worldwide, certainly the Michael Jordan of her discipline.

It should be noted that just over two years ago, Simone Biles suffered from the “twisties’ a phenomenon that can afflict high flying athletes at any level. For Biles, it occurred prior to the all-around competition at the Olympic games in Tokyo. She withdrew from the team competition, but fought through it, returning to earn the bronze medal on the beam.

Biles essentially took two years off from competition after the Olympic games, ultimately returning to the U.S. Classic in Illinois. Tokyo Olympic teammates Jordan Chiles, Suni Lee and Grace McCallum are dealing with various injuries and ailments and are hopeful to make the team for the 2024 Paris games.

NBC and Peacock will broadcast the individual all-around completion from Belgium this weekend.

While on assignment for GamePro Magazine in 1996, Jon Gaede met former Black Voice Sports Editor, Leland Stein at a Los Angeles Lakers’ game. They formed a working relationship which has endured for 24 years. In addition to African safaris, theater productions, Footsteps to Freedom Tours with Black Voice News Publisher Emeritus Cheryl Brown, concerts and portraits, Jon’s true passion comes from shooting action sports images. Jon has covered a variety of prep, collegiate and professional sports from track & field to boxing, including six Olympic Games.