Imagine being part of a crowd, watching the undisputed queen of gymnastics, Simone Biles, perform something no one saw coming—a move that could potentially change women’s gymnastics forever
. This isn’t just about flips or twists. This is something deeper, a moment that might revolutionize the very essence of the sport. When Simone Biles stepped into the spotlight at the Gold Over America Tour, the audience expected greatness, but what they witnessed hinted at a revolution.
On September 17th, the tour kicked off in Oceanside, California, before moving to Phoenix, where basketball legends like Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner, and Kahleah Copper joined the crowd. The energy was electric, yet it wasn’t just the star-studded audience or the flawless performances that grabbed attention—it was one specific move by Biles. A fan page, Gymnastics Coaching, noted that Biles had incorporated a rare technique, one usually reserved for men’s gymnastics: the mushroom pommel. Yes, you read that right. A move from men’s gymnastics making its way into a women’s tour performance.
Could this be the beginning of something entirely new for women’s artistic gymnastics? The idea has already sparked playful debate, with Jessica O’Beirne, the host of GymCastic podcast, jokingly calling for the mushroom to be recognized as a legitimate apparatus for women’s competitions. Whether it’s a joke or a vision of the future, one thing is clear—Simone Biles has done it again. She’s pushed the boundaries of what’s possible, and the gymnastics world may never be the same.
