The skill itself is complex and risky, typically attempted only by male acrobats. Her coach, Laurent Landi, emphasized the significance. “It’s great. People, I hope, realize that’s maybe one of the last times you’re going to see a vault like that in your life from a woman gymnast. So I think it’s time to appreciate it,” he said.

Landi continued, “She made it. She handled her nerves, handled the pressure. [It was the] last event, so there was fatigue and everything.”

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Team USA also performed exceptionally well by logging a total qualifying score of 171.395. The number virtually guaranteed a spot in the final, outdoing 2022’s first-place sum total of 167.263.

This championship marked Biles’ first major international event since the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she withdrew from several competitions due to a mental block that she dubbed “the twisties.” She acknowledged the emotional weight of her return.

“It’s really amazing. Everybody in here believes in me. So I just need to start believing in myself a little bit more, but it feels amazing, and I love the fans, I love the crowd. It was really special,” Biles detailed.

Additionally, Biles’ participation in the Antwerp competition made her the first woman to represent the U.S. in six artistic world championships.