MEAWW.COM / NEWS / SPORTS

Simone Biles hailed for bronze win in Olympic balancing beam final: 'Gutsiest performance ever'

After being forced to skip several events because of a mental health issue, Simone Biles delivered a great routine for someone handling so much stress at the tournament

Simone Biles won the bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics balance beam final after scoring 14.00 points flat, with 6.1 in difficulty and 7.9 in execution. Chinese gymnast Guan Chenchen won gold, and China's Tang Xijing took home the silver medal.

After being forced to skip several events because of a mental health issue, Biles delivered a great routine for someone handling so much stress at the tournament. According to the International Gymnastics Federation, Biles' set at the Ariake Gymnastics Center consisted of a "3/1 wolf turn. Front aerial jumps. Back handspring to two layout step-outs. Switch to switch 1/2, pause, back pike. Side aerial. And two back handsprings to terrific double pike dismount." After finishing her routine with a big smile, she patted her chest and ran to give Cecile Landi, her coach, a hug.

RELATED ARTICLES

Simone Biles called 'GOAT' as she cheers on teammates and even arch rival 'Gelya'

Did Michael Che make fun of Simone Biles? Comedian dubbed 'tasteless hack' for posts on gymnast

Fans inundated social media with messages of support and lauded Biles for coming back from the doldrums to a podium finish at the event. Meanwhile, some also disagreed with the scorecard.

"IMO, #SimoneBiles was much better than Tang Xijing, the Chinese gymnast who went first in the #BalanceBeam finals. I disagree w/the judges for scoring #Simone lower. Simone was more natural & flowing in her routine. #Olympics #OlympicGames," one fan tweeted.

"Woke up early for the [GOAT]! Thought she did better than a 14.000," another added, with a disappointed emoji.

"@Simone_Biles is going to medal and it legitimately doesn't matter what color because that woman has been thru hell and this was the gutsiest performance I've ever seen. I'm so freaking proud of her. #Simone #Olympics #ArtisticGymnastics," a third gushed.

"With 100% certainty, I have never been this inspired at 5:30 am. What #SimoneBiles did returning to perform her beam routine is incredible," a comment read.

"So happy @Simone_Biles was able to come out and end the #2020TokyoOlympics on a high note and earn another medal for @TeamUSA #fighter," another wrote. Editor Rachel Richardson tweeted, sharing a clip of Biles' victory, saying: "The spirit of the Olympics captured in a two-minute video. Coming back after what she’s been through cements her #goat status for me. Can’t wait to see what Miss @Simone_Biles does next,"

Biles’ decision to withdraw from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gymnastics competition due to mental health reasons had left fans shocked and heartbroken. The 24-year-old sensation, who has won a whopping four Olympic gold medals aside from silver and bronze, took to her Instagram Stories on Friday, to explain her problem. “I don’t think you realize how dangerous this is on a hard/competitive surface,” Biles told her followers. “Nor do I have to explain why I put my health first. Physical health is mental health." The Texas native clinched a silver medal in the team final even while she opted out after the vault event. She received a standing ovation after her performance at the balancing beam today, on August 3.