Simone Biles lands historic vault at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, move named after her

Simone Biles added another milestone to her glittering career after becoming the first woman to perform a Yurchenko double pike vault – now officially dubbed the Biles II – at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

The 26-year-old has returned to the sport with a bang, with her latest performance helping her into top spot in all-around qualifying.

Biles scored 15.266 for landing the Yurchenko double pike, recognised as the hardest jump in the women’s vault.

Speaking at the time, she said: “I’ve been doing it for so long that I don’t think about numbers, I think about my performance and overall I hit eight for eight.

“Eight is the lucky number this year.”

Biles’ recent performances are all the more remarkable given she took a two-year break to work on her mental health after suffering with the ‘twisties’ – a temporary loss of spatial awareness in mid-air – at the Tokyo Olympics.

So far, she is remaining tight-lipped about what her aims are going into the Olympic Games in Paris next year.

“I like to keep them personal just so that I know what I’m aiming for,” she added.

“It’s better that way. I’m trying to move a little bit differently this year than I have in the past and it’s working so far.”

Elsewhere, there were impressive performances for the British teams as Max Whitlock, Harry Hepworth, Jake Jarman, James Hall and Courtney Tulloch came third in qualifying to book a place in Tuesday’s men’s team final.

The women’s team of Jessica Gadirova, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella, Georgia-Mae Fenton and Ruby Evans sit in second place. Qualification will resume on Monday, with the final on Wednesday.