Biles debuts unprecedented Yurchenko double pike vault en route to fifth GK U.S. Classic title
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INDIANAPOLIS, May 22, 2021 – Reigning World champion Simone Biles of Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre returned to competition for the first time in more than a year in a half Saturday night at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. The four-time Olympic gold medalist edged teammate Jordan Chiles of Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre in successful defense of her 2019 GK U.S. Classic all-around title. Along the way, Biles debuted the long-anticipated Yurchenko double pike vault, becoming the first woman to land the high-difficulty skill in competition.
While Biles’ 16.100 on vault led all competitors, MyKayla Skinner of Gilbert, Ariz./Desert Lights Gymnastics claimed the apparatus title by showing two separate vaults averaging 14.675. Biles posted high scores on balance beam (14.850) and floor exercise (14.250). Kayla DiCello of Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, who finished third in the all-around, topped the field on uneven bars with a 14.600.
Ava Siegfeldt of Williamsburg, Va./World Class Gymnastics became the final senior gymnast to qualify to the all-around at the upcoming U.S. Gymnastics Championships, earning a 52.700. Twenty-nine additional gymnasts were previously qualified coming into the weekend. The national championship event is set to take place June 3-6 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth and will feature junior and senior men’s and women’s divisions.
The top three 2021 GK U.S. Classic individual placements are listed below by event.
- All-around: 1. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 58.400; 2. Jordan Chiles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 57.100; 3. Kayla DiCello, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, 56.100
- Vault: 1. MyKayla Skinner, Gilbert, Ariz./Desert Lights Gymnastics, 14.675
- Uneven bars: 1. Kayla DiCello, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, 14.600; 2. Jordan Chiles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 14.150; 3. Skye Blakely, Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics, 14.050
- Balance beam: 1. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 14.850; 2. Leanne Wong, Overland Park, Kan./Great American Gymnastics Express, 14.450; 3. Kara Eaker, Grain Valley, Mo./Great American Gymnastics Express, 14.100
- Floor exercise: 1. Simone Biles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 14.250; 2. Jordan Chiles, Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre, 13.950; 3. Kayla DiCello, Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics, 13.850