Even a kidney stone could not stop this black gymnast from becoming the world’s best

Since the 2016 Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles has not competed internationally, especially after revelations in January that she had been sexually abused by a former Team USA sports doctor.

On the eve of this year’s Worlds Championships, the 21-year-old African American was admitted to hospital with a kidney stone but she still put up a good show on Thursday to make history as the first woman to win four all-around titles at the World Championships.

In spite of a fall on the vault, a fall on the balance beam and stepping out of bounds during her floor exercise routine, Biles still won by 1.693 points – the largest margin of victory of her four titles at the competition being held in Doha, Qatar, news site CNN reports.

Mai Murakami of Japan took silver while American Morgan Hurd won bronze.

Analysts say that Biles, who returned to the sport this summer, struggled through the competition- a view Biles also holds.

“I wish I could have put out a better performance because that’s not the gymnast that I am,” Biles, who won four gold medals at the 2016 Olympics was quoted by news site BBC.

“But we all make mistakes and fall – it’s just how you get up and prove yourself.”

“This year has definitely had its ups and downs, going to therapy and other things besides. Just being in the gym has been a little bit rough, but you try to focus on one thing at a time to get through it,” she said.

“I hope this gives confidence [to other women] that you can still do well and not be penalised for it and for parents to put gymnasts in the sport and feel comfortable.”

Apart from the all-around, Biles led the U.S. this week to team gold and many believe that she can still add to her medal haul in the individual vault, uneven bars, beam and floor events.

What’s even more amazing is that Biles did not let a kidney stone stop her from the medal haul. Biles had been diagnosed less than 24 hours before the competition and had to put the treatment on hold to win it for the team.

In an interview, she revealed that she had been having stomach pain for two days. A visit to the doctor revealed that she had a kidney stone. Biles opted to go for the competition instead of having the stone removed. She counted on excitement to get her through the day’s event.

“The adrenaline definitely helped because even when I’m walking or doing some stretches, I’m in a bit of pain,” she said. “So adrenaline helps.”

Biles has earned 15 World Championships medals, five behind record-holder, Svetlana Khorkina of Russia, according to the BBC.

BY MILDRED EUROPA TAYLOR
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