Biles becomes the greatest with latest world title win

After a two-year absence and less than three months into her return to competition, Simone Biles is back at the top of world gymnastics once again.

The American superstar won the individual all-around title at the world championships in Antwerp for the sixth time on Friday to become the most decorated gymnast in history.

Ten years after she won her first in the same Belgian city as a 16-year-old, Biles scored 58.399 points across the balance beam, floor, vault and uneven bars to beat Rebeca Andrade, the Brazilian defending champion, by 1.633 points.

Biles' US teammate Shilese Jones took the bronze medal, with 56.332 points.

"...10 years ago, I won my first worlds. Now we're back here. So it was emotional," Biles said.

"It means everything to me, the fight, everything that I've put in to get back to this place, feel comfortable and confident enough to compete."

It was Biles' 27th world championship medal -- and 21st gold. It came two days after the four-time Olympic gold medallist led the US women to a record seventh straight win in the team event.

Biles now has 34 medals across the world championships and Olympics, making her the most decorated gymnast ever -- male or female -- at the sport's two signature events ahead of the retired Vitaly Scherbo.

With the Paris Olympics in less than a year, Biles is back to her very best. And despite the fierce competition from Andrade and Jones, she remains a cut above the rest -- a full decade after she started her reign.

Biles has been dominant ever since returning following a two-year break after her appearance in the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics was plagued by a bout with a mental block known as "the twisties." She was expected to repeat as individual all-around champion in Japan but removed herself from competition to focus on her mental well-being.

"I was so much more nervous for team finals because that's when everything occurred (in Tokyo), so I was a little bit traumatised from that. So today I felt a little bit more relaxed," she said.

"So I'm happy that that's over."

After announcing her return, she impressed at the US Classic in early August then added her eighth national title a few weeks later. She is competing at her first world championships since 2019 this week.

Biles received the loudest round of applause during the athlete presentation, with Andrade's name also welcomed by loud cheers.

Biles' competition continues this weekend with the women's vault and uneven bars finals on Saturday (Sunday AEDT) and the balance beam and floor exercise finals on Sunday.

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636