Despite being in a class of her own, Simone Biles, the most accomplished Olympic gymnast, acknowledges her toughest rivalries.
Following her vault defeat to the competitor Biles describes as the one who ‘scares me most’ at last year’s world championships, she symbolically removed the crown from her head and placed it on Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade.
The battle for the crown could once again play out when the American gymnastics legend squares off against the Brazilian star in the all-around events on Thursday at Bercy Arena in Paris.
While reigning all-around gold medalist Suni Lee will also be competing, the results from last year’s championships and Biles’ return to the Olympic arena—where she has already claimed gold—clearly outline the main contenders going into Thursday’s event.
DailyMail.com delves into Andrade’s journey and highlights how she poses the greatest threat to Biles’ remarkable run in the Olympics.
Simone Biles will take part in the all-around competition in the Olympics on Thursday.
She will compete against Brazil’s gymnastics star Rebeca Andrade, who has previously defeated her in the vault.
Born on May 8, 1999, in Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, Andrade grew up among seven siblings. She began gymnastics at age four after her aunt took her to the gym where she worked.
Her mother worked long hours cleaning houses to support the family and pay for Andrade’s gymnastics training.
At the age of nine, Andrade relocated to Curitiba to train, before moving to Rio de Janeiro the following year to train with Flamengo. In 2012, she started her international gymnastics career, marking the turning point that would lead to her success.
Andrade’s exceptional ability earned Brazil their first Olympic gold in artistic gymnastics, making her the second athlete from Brazil to secure gold at the world championships.
She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo, winning gold in the vault and silver in the all-around event. Earlier this week, Andrade and her team earned bronze medals, with Biles and the American team winning the team event.
Additionally, Andrade has a total of three golds, four silvers, and two bronzes from the world championships, two golds, and two silvers at the Pan American Games, and four golds and two silvers at the Pan American Championships.
Andrade and Biles achieved 1-2 finishes in most competitions at the last year’s world championships.
Biles and the U.S. team clinched gold in the team competition, marking the start of her Olympic comeback.
Andrade and her team finished third behind the U.S. while Italy secured second place.
When Biles and Andrade competed at the world championships, they consistently finished first and second, except in uneven bars and beam where China and Algeria took the top spots. Biles won gold in the beam while Andrade secured bronze.
The close competition fostered a friendly rivalry rooted in mutual respect.
Biles claimed four golds to Andrade’s one, but the Brazilian’s victory in the vault adds significance to their upcoming rematch in Paris, heightening anticipation.
Statistically, Biles has a commanding lead with 38 medals from Olympic and world competitions compared to Andrade’s 12. Nevertheless, the Brazilian star is optimistic and eager for the challenge.
Andrade won gold in vault and silver in the all-around at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
Andrade has accumulated a total of 12 medals across the Olympics and World Championships.
Biles became the most decorated Olympic gymnast at the age of 27 with her victory on Tuesday.
‘It’s about performing my best,’ said Andrade in an interview with AFP. ‘I hope she does her best as well, because it’s an honor to compete with her.’
Though they are often viewed as rivals, Biles and Andrade maintain profound respect for one another. During the 2018 world championships, Biles offered words of encouragement to Andrade as she recovered from her second of three ACL injuries.
Andrade recalled Biles ‘speaking from the heart’ and noted that it fostered a ‘relationship of admiration.’
Regarding Biles’ symbolic ‘passing of the crown’ last year, Andrade interpreted it as a heartfelt gesture. ‘I saw it as something sincere, spontaneous, recognizing her status in gymnastics globally,’ she expressed in an interview with Brazilian Marie Claire.
