Simone Biles wins US Classic on return to gymnastics after two-year mental health break

Simone Biles rolled back the years to make a stunning return to gymnastics, winning the US Classic after almost two years out of action.

The American superstar had not competed since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 after announcing she would be taking a break to focus on her mental health.

However, the 26-year-old showed no signs of rust as she put on a show for the Chicago crowd in the Now Arena in Illinois, who welcomed her back with a rapturous reception.

“Everyone that was cheering – made posters, all of that in the crowd – it just made my heart melt that they still believe in me,” Biles said.

The four-time Olympic champion, who is widely regarded as the greatest gymnast of all time, suffered with something known as “twisties” in Tokyo, which causes a temporary struggle with spatial awareness.

She also cited her mental health as a reason for her time away from the sport, something she continues to work on.

“It means the world because after everything that transpired in Tokyo, I worked on myself a lot,” she added.

“I still do therapy weekly, and it has just been so exciting to come out here and have the confidence I had before.”

Biles began on the uneven bars in Chicago, scoring 14.000 points to keep pace with the leaders before registering the best score of the event on the balance beam with 14.800.

She continued her form on the floor, where she tumbled and flipped her way to a score of 14.900 before finishing off the victory with a stunning 15.400 on the vault.

Her 59.100 total was good enough to take the top step of the podium by five points from Leanne Wong in second, as 17-year-old Joscelyn Roberson finished in third.

“Everything has fallen into place. I feel really good about where I am now mentally and physically,” Biles said.

“I still think there are some things to work on in my routine but, for the first meet back, I would say it went pretty well. I’m very shocked and surprised. I’m very happy now that it is out of the way.”

Naturally, with the Paris Olympics fast approaching, Biles was asked if she would be suiting up for Team USA for her third Games and refused to rule it out.

“Who knows, I’m not going to think too far ahead,” she said.

“Right now I think I should just embrace what happened today [and] be happy.”