Simone Biles competes in the women’s balance beam at Aspire Dome, yesterday. Pictures: Syed Omar
Doha: Legend Oksana Chusovitina describes Simone Biles as a phenomenon ‘who is born once in 100 years’, and the reigning Olympic champion from America once again proved that yesterday in Doha.
Less than 24 hours before launching her campaign at the 48th edition of Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Doha 2018 at Aspire Dome, Biles was in hospital with a kidney stone, yet she marked her international return successfully outsmarting her opponents on the opening day of women’s qualification rounds.
The 10-time world champion took a strong lead in All-Around competition and led three out of four individual apparatus besides helping Team USA taking lead with spectacular performances particularly in vault, marking 15.966.
In All-Around, Biles earned a total of 60.965 to dominate the event with a lead of over 4 points against her team-mate and defending champion Hurd Morgan, who is second with 56.465 points. Japan’s Murakami Mai is third with 55.632. Biles was also leading in individual Vault, Balance Beam and Floor.
“I think tonight went pretty well overall. I had a little mistake on bars but I kept it going. I think, for the rest, I tried to stay as calm as possible and to relax,” Biles said yesterday.
On competing despite having been diagnosed with a kidney stone on Friday, she said: “I was in the ER last night and came back at around 1am. I found out I had a kidney stone, so we’re going from there. The pain is pretty OK right now, so that’s good.”
“The doctors were asking me, ‘When’s your competition?’ and I was like, ‘Tomorrow. We have practice in the morning. I have to leave.’ They asked, ‘Are you still going to compete?’ And I said, ‘Yes, I’m leaving’.
“We’re calling it (kidney stone) ‘Doha Pearl’ because it’s quite large and I don’t think I’ll pass this one, but we’ll see.”
Defending All-Around champion Morgan was happy with her start in the event.
Qatar’s Jana Elkeky during floor exercise qualification round, yesterday.
“I think I did really well and I’m pretty proud of myself. My goal is just to achieve the best I can do. I think it went great.
“(Being a defending champion) I definitely think it brings a little bit of pressure, but it’s mostly from myself because I have higher expectations for myself. It definitely felt different (from the 2017 Worlds). I felt more confidence and I came with the experience from last year,” said the Team US star.
After the opening day of two-day women qualification round, USA was leading the Team event with 174.429 followed by Japan (162.180) and Germany (161.071).
The only event yesterday where Biles was behind was the Uneven Bars, which was dominated by two-time European champion Derwael Nina of Belgium with 15.066 points. Biles followed on second with 14.866.
Also yesterday, Uzbekistan’s 43-year-old Oksana, seeking her 8th Olympics participation, also looked set to qualify for Vault final after finishing the qualification third with 14.200 points.
“I don’t know why, but I was really worried this time,” said the seven-time Olympian.
Qatar’s Jana Elkeky also competed and impressed fans with a good performance.
The women’s qualification ends today with China and Russia to start their campaign.
