ANTWERP, Belgium (Reuters) – American Simone Biles won her sixth all-around title at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships on Friday.
Biles posted a total of 58.399 after a stellar performance on the vault, followed by a less impressive display on the bars before rallying on balance beam and while she stumbled on the floor exercise the American nailed her tumbling routine.
Biles, who won her first all-around world title as a 16-year-old in Antwerp a decade ago, has now claimed a total of 27 world medals — including 21 golds — having also led the U.S. women’s team to a seventh consecutive title on Wednesday.
The former Olympic champion, who returned to international competition after a two-year hiatus from the sport to protect her mental health, now has five skills bearing her name, two on floor exercise, two on vault and one on balance beam.
Former world champion, Brazilian Rebeca Andrade, was second with a total of 56.766 after a superb floor routine. American Shilese Jones completed the podium with a score of 56.332.
The apparatus finals start on Saturday.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; Editing by Ken Ferris)
