Andrade, a close friend of the American star, demonstrated flawless execution, earning a remarkable 15.333 score in her first vault, a challenging Cheng.
Simone Biles’ potential rival, Brazilian gymnast Rebeca Andrade, showcased her prowess at the Pan American Games, clinching her first gold in the vault event
This left fellow competitors, including Dominican Camil Betances, visibly astonished, a reaction often seen when Biles dazzles the crowd with her routines. Andrade’s second vault garnered a score of 14.633, resulting in an impressive average of 14.983. This secured her the gold, surpassing U.S. gymnast Jordan Chiles by 0.833 points. Mexico’s Natalia Escalera secured the bronze.
Reflecting on her achievement, Andrade expressed, “Every medal is special. It was a deserved gold, right? You can always improve, but I think the first vault was (perfect).” In a surprising turn, Andrade also clinched silver in the uneven bars, an event outside her comfort zone, while American Zoe Miller secured the gold.
Andrade outperformed Simone Biles to claim the vault gold at the world championship
The Brazilian’s victory in Tokyo three years ago was in an event where Simone Biles did not participate. Despite Simone Biles’ extraordinary record of 37 medals at world championships and Olympics, Andrade remains focused on the present, quipping, “It is still a bit far, let’s talk about that next year.”
In a show of camaraderie, Simone Biles playfully crowned Andrade before the medal ceremony in Belgium, and the two were later captured dancing at an event. Andrade consistently emphasizes Simone Biles’ influence on her, admiring not only her athletic prowess but also her advocacy for mental health. “Simone Biles is more than a great gymnast, she is a great person,” Andrade affirmed, highlighting the bond that transcends competition.
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