Simone Biles pays tribute to the Yurchenko double pike by holding a mock funeral for the move that revolutionized gymnastics.
Simone Biles, the gymnastics superstar known for her groundbreaking skills, recently paid homage to one of her most impressive moves with a mock funeral. On Tuesday, Biles took to Instagram to commemorate the Yurchenko double pike, a move that has defined her career and earned her numerous accolades.
The photos Biles shared on her Instagram show her dressed in white, standing atop a vaulting table surrounded by flowers. The caption read, “Rest in peace Yurchenko double pike.” This symbolic gesture marks the end of an era for the gymnast, who has made this move a staple of her performances.
The Yurchenko double pike, named for its complexity and difficulty, became a significant part of Biles’ routine. She first landed the move in May 2021, becoming the first woman to successfully execute it. By October 2023, the move was officially renamed the Biles II in her honor. The move’s uniqueness and difficulty made it a highlight of her career, contributing to her multiple gold medals.
“Rest in peace Yurchenko double pike,” Biles wrote in her Instagram post,.
Despite its significance, Biles has decided to retire the Yurchenko double pike from her competitive routines. The decision comes after years of spectacular performances that included executing the move even with injuries. Biles demonstrated the move at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite a calf injury, where she won three gold medals and a silver medal.
The move’s retirement reflects a broader trend in Biles’ career. In an episode of her Facebook series, “Simone vs. Herself,” Biles discussed how her superior skills sometimes result in judges docking her points. She revealed that she believes her advanced abilities lead to unfair scoring. “I’m almost 99.9% sure if any other athlete were to do it besides me, they would give it correct credit,” Biles said. She added that sometimes judges may want to pull back their scoring because they feel it is unfair for her to win consistently.
The mock funeral for the Yurchenko double pike symbolizes Biles’ shift from this move to new challenges and innovations in her gymnastics career. Despite the move’s complexity and the accolades it brought her, Biles’ choice to retire it suggests a desire to focus on evolving her routines and pushing the boundaries of her sport further.
Biles’ tribute to the Yurchenko double pike comes at a time when she is also focusing on her personal life. She married Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens in April 2023, adding a new chapter to her life beyond gymnastics.
The Yurchenko double pike will be remembered as a defining move of Biles’ career, showcasing her unparalleled skill and bravery. Its retirement does not diminish its impact but rather highlights Biles’ continual pursuit of excellence and innovation in gymnastics.
As Biles moves forward, her legacy will undoubtedly include the Yurchenko double pike as one of the milestones that defined her extraordinary career. Her ability to execute such a challenging move and her decision to retire it gracefully reflect both her achievements and her forward-looking approach to the sport.
