Simone Biles claims record-extending ninth title at U.S. Gymnastics ...

Seven-time Olympic medallist Simone Biles grabbed a historic ninth all-around crown Sunday (2 June) at the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas. It's the next step in her quest for the Olympic Games Paris 2024, which begin in less than two months.

Biles totalled a massive 119.750, nearly six points clear of Skye Blakely (113.850). Kayla DiCello (110.800) was third.

"Today, it was just getting out there and getting comfortable and confident in my gymnastics and hopefully going to Olympic trials and making that next step towards Paris," Biles told U.S. broadcaster NBC afterward.

"I couldn't be more proud of how I'm doing this time of the year, just getting that confidence. Over and over, getting myself back in front of the crowd. And just doing what I do in practice."

Reigning Olympic all-around champion Sunisa Lee was competing on all four events for the first time in elite gymnastics since capturing gold at Tokyo 2020. She finished fourth at 110.650.

Two-time world all-around medallist Shilese Jones withdrew from the event with a shoulder injury on Friday (31 May).

Biles, 27, already owned the most U.S. crowns in history with eight total (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023) coming into the event. Sunday's title extends her record to nine.

Friday night was the first time she had broken the 60.000 mark since the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials.

Biles' individual scores on the second day of competition were 15.000, vault; 14.400, uneven bars; 14.800, balance beam; 15.100, floor exercise; with her only error of the weekend coming on an overrotated vault Sunday.

She swept the individual apparatus titles. Biles had previously won all five gold medals at the U.S. Championships just once, in 2018.

'She's taking charge of her own gymnastics:' Shilese Jones plans path to peak for debut Olympic berth Simone Biles, Shilese Jones and Suni Lee take next steps toward Paris 2024 at U.S. Championships 'She's happy to be here'

Coach Cecile Landi, a 1996 Olympian for France, says one key to Biles’ form is how much she relishes what she’s getting – at least one more chance – to do.

“I truly feel like she’s happy to be here,” Landi said Friday (31 May) after competition. “I know she says she’s ready to be done, but I think she’s really enjoying and appreciating every meet she gets to do.”

Biles echoed Landi's sentiments.

"Everyone says I look like I'm having fun, so that's good," she said. "Because I feel like most of the time I'm not stressing or having anxiety, I do feel like I'm having fun, so it's good to have that and feel that again."

In her three competitive outings in 2024, the 30-time world championships medallist has looked as if the Olympic Games could be tomorrow.

For Biles, that’s important, says her coach.

“She needs to feel confident, and this is how she feels confident, competing well,” said Landi of her pupil’s otherworldly competitive form. “It builds up for her, this is how it works, so that’s why we do it.”

Skye Blakely storms into Paris 2024 contention

Blakely continued her impressive performance in Ft. Worth Sunday, delivering another solid night of competition with scores of 14.400, vault; 14.450, uneven bars; 14.200, balance beam; and 13.750, floor exercise.

It’s a rapid turn-around for the 19-year-old, who has been a member of the U.S. team at each of the last two World Championships.

Just two weeks ago, Blakely fell on a transition element on the uneven bars and had a less than solid effort on the balance beam at the U.S. Classic. Her all-around totals in Ft. Worth were more than two points better each night.

"I know what I am capable of," she said afterward. "I see myself practice every day. I know what I can do, but to be able to finally put it out there on the floor and show everybody and myself, it really means a lot to me."

Her 57.050 total on night one surprised even Blakely herself.

“My goal I wrote was actually a 56 all-around,” she told reporters. “So, 57, I think really tops it.”

Blakely’s performance at the U.S. Championships should boost her confidence; her high-scoring Cheng vault, new this week, should boost her chances for Paris.

Jess Graba, coach of Suni Lee: I'll always put money on her.

Lee’s fourth-place finish in the all-around is a triumph more than a year in the making.

"For my first all-around competition, I was just telling them how happy and excited I was because this is my first time back on national team since Tokyo," Lee said afterward. "So it feels so good to just be back."

The 21-year-old has been dealing with a kidney-related health issue since early 2023. It cut Lee’s sophomore campaign at Auburn University short and held her out of international competition for Team USA last season.

As Paris 2024 has neared, Lee and longtime coach Jess Graba have taken a measured, strategic approach to bring her back into all-around competition for the first time this week at the U.S. Championships.

Over two days of competition, Lee delivered seven of eight solid routines. The sole hiccup came in Sunday's opening rotation when she tripped on the runway of her vault, bailing out and sitting down.

Shaken up by the incident, Lee found comfort in Biles who stood next to the uneven bars a rotation later cheering for her Tokyo 2020 teammate.

"She just came over to see if I was okay and basically just helped boost me up and get my confidence back up, because at that point, I was kind of like thinking that this was over," Lee explained. "So, it was really nice having her in my corner, and she's just been so supportive.

"To have her on bars to giving me advice, it just felt so good because I know I was having a hard time and she was just there to help lift me up. So I'm super grateful for her."

Lee bounced back in a big way, earning a 14.500 on the bars and then a 14.900 on the balance beam. Both scores were the highest on their respective apparatus Sunday.

"Mentally, that's who she is," Graba said. "I mean, I told her that after beam I'm like, 'That's who you are. That's what makes you, you. I mean, everything can be stacked against you, and I'll always put my money on her.'"