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- Family Support Is Everything
- “Twisties” Is a Real Thing
- Biles Wins the World Championship Again
- Biles Shows Off a Dangerous Skill
As a huge fan of gymnastics and an admirer of Simone Biles’ extraordinary skills and resilience, I can’t help but be deeply moved by her inspiring story as depicted in “Simone Biles: Rising.” Her experience is a powerful reminder of the highs and lows that come with being a world-class athlete.
Simone Biles, an accomplished gymnast who started her professional journey at 14 and rapidly achieved greatness, hasn’t been exempted from adversity. The sports world was taken aback when she faced challenges during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which were postponed due to the pandemic. After experiencing difficulties, Biles eventually withdrew from competition. As fans, critics, and commentators watched, they wondered if the gymnastics legend would make a comeback following this two-year break.
After making her comeback and gearing up for the 2024 Olympics in Paris, the initial half of Simone Biles’ four-part documentary, titled “Simone Biles: Rise to Greatness“, is now streaming on Netflix. In this first part, viewers get an inside look at Biles’ recent history through interviews with coaches, former athletes, family members, and Simone Biles herself. Let’s explore some key moments from the documentary.
Family Support Is Everything
As a gamer, I can relate to the intense competition and training regimens in gymnastics. But sometimes it feels like a rarity to see unwavering support from family members in this high-pressure environment, especially when athletes start young. It’s not uncommon for both external and internal pressures to mount. However, reading “Simone Biles: Rising,” I was reminded of an inspiring perspective.
In the documentary it is disclosed that Biles’ parents had participated in every one of her competitions prior to COVID-19. This continued until the restrictions prevented them from attending the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The absence of her loved ones during this pivotal time took a toll on Simone’s mental wellbeing, leading to anxiety and panic attacks. Her isolation was further highlighted by the stark contrast between her being on the competition mat and her family and relatives cheering her on from home via television.
One heartwarming scene unfolds when Nellie receives a call from Simone immediately following her decision to leave the competition. Her facial expression conveys her deep-seated doubt in her abilities. Although Nellie’s predicament is palpable, it brings comfort knowing that her mother responds with nothing but encouragement. The scene exudes authenticity as Nellie reassures Simone that withdrawing and focusing on self-care for her body and mind is a valid choice.
“Twisties” Is a Real Thing
An intriguing term that stands out in “Simone Biles: Rising” is “twisties.” In gymnastics, this term signifies a disorienting situation where an athlete unexpectedly loses awareness of their body movements mid-air. This condition poses a serious risk because the lack of control over one’s body can significantly alter the landing on the floor.
It’s obvious that anything but a successful landing can be very hazardous and lead to serious injuries. In Biles’ case, her unexpected battle with “twisties” made it necessary for her to withdraw from the competition. She emphasized that this decision was not about giving up, but rather prioritizing her health and safety.
Following her unexpected departure from the Olympics in Tokyo due to “twisties” and the immense competition stress, Biles experienced a challenging mental health journey. The gifted athlete grappled with profound self-doubt, feeling that she had irreversibly lost her skills. Amidst this struggle, Biles was convinced she would never step foot back onto the mat again. Unfortunately, malicious comments circulating online intensified her turmoil.
Many individuals, including sports fans, commentators, celebrities, and strangers online, made crude comments towards Simone. In spite of the negativity she faced online, Simone is a resilient young woman who refuses to be intimidated. Her confidence shines through as she boldly states that her detractors couldn’t even perform a cartwheel. Simone’s powerful voice and fiery demeanor suggest that her gymnastics career, which initially faced obstacles, is far from finished.
Biles Wins the World Championship Again
After spending countless days at the gym overcoming “twisties” and rebuilding her self-assurance, Simone Biles experienced noticeable improvement and renewed determination. Though tears flowed during the ups and downs of the previous two years, Biles persevered and prepared to face criticism once more in competitions. In a profound interview during the documentary, she disclosed that her choice to resume her career was entirely self-made, demonstrating the transformation of this former prodigy into a strong and autonomous woman. Biles made her triumphant return at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship, where she showcased her remarkable abilities by claiming gold after a two-year absence.
In the documentary, Biles shares that her victory at the 2023 Championship is particularly significant because she recalls the anxiety she experienced during that competition. Notably, she had to perform the triple-double, a skill she previously struggled with at the Tokyo Olympics where she failed. She speaks candidly about her fear yet also recalls lovely thoughts. In an interview, Biles reveals that regaining confidence after successfully executing the triple-double and feeling the powerful backing of her team, coaches, and loved ones were instrumental in making her triumph even more meaningful. Additionally, Biles adds that the presence of other Black women on the podium – Rebeca Andrade took silver and Shilese Jones earned bronze – added to the importance of her win as they collectively displayed “Black Girl Magic.”
Biles Shows Off a Dangerous Skill
Apart from her triple-double, Biles also showed off another skill, which definitely qualifies as highly dangerous. The Yurchenko double pike, which is named after Natalia Yurchenko, was taken to a whole new level by Simone Biles, as she added two flips in the position of the pike. It is needless to say that the speed required to not land on her head is incredibly hard to reach, yet the athlete attempted to land it at the Championship, and she definitely managed to do just that.
The documentary captures the astonishing achievement of Simone, marked by the crowd’s explosive reaction as her brave move proved fruitful. Now recognized as the Biles II vault, Simone’s Yurchenko double pike is the fifth skill bearing her name and paving the path toward the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Unveiling Simone Biles: A Star’s Intimate Journey
As a huge fan of gymnastics and an admirer of Simone Biles’ incredible talent, I can’t help but be excited about the ongoing documentary “Simone Biles: Rising.” The first part has already left us in awe with some truly remarkable moments, but let me tell you, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
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2024-07-25 23:31