Black Gymnastics History: Biles, Andrade, Jones, Richard Win Medals At World Gymnastics Championships

A black male gymnast and three black females win medals and make history at 2023 World Gymnastics Championships in Belgium.

HOUSTON — As Talladega College embarks on its inaugural season, and Fisk enters its second season following a historic run in 2022 with Morgan Price leading the way, Simone Biles set more history at the World Championships. Biles returned this season to re-claim her as the GOAT of gymnastics. The U.S. Champion earned her 21st World Artistic Gymnastics Championship medal and tied the record for a sixth World All-Around title at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Belgium.

Biles became the most decorated gymnast in history. The awards podium had three women of color, Simone Biles (1st/U.S.), Rebeca Andrade (2nd/Brazil), and Shilese Jones (3rd/U.S.), a first at a World Artistic Gymnastics Championship event.

2023 World Gymnastic Champions: From left to right - Rebeca Andrade (Brazil - Silver), Simone Biles (US - Gold), Shilese Jones (US - Bronze); top - Frederick Richard (men's bronze medal winner)

Frederick Richard, 19, who won a bronze medal, joined Biles in another first as two African Americans stood on the podium to win world gymnastics championships all-around awards. Richard's feat was the first time in 13 years that a U.S. male won a medal at the event.

"When I came here, had a list of three things," Richard said. The main thing and first thing, stay healthy. Second thing, have fun. Third thing, do smooth gymnastics. I believe if I did all three of those, I would get a medal right. So I entered the high bar say pretty healthy, so we're doing good. It's not right now. It's time to just have fun for the final event. Then I fell off on that Coleman, and when I was mounting the bar again, I was like, you know, it's not over yet. I already said it to my coach, "It's not over yet." So when I jumped back up, I said, "I still want to have fun." Let me finish this routine smooth. That was probably the cleanest finished tour routine I've ever done. And then I thought to myself, you know, whatever happens today, I deserve it, and as part of my journey, so I thought I'd probably end up you know, fourth or fifth. But I'd go back to the gym train harder than ever, and come back and take a medal. Then the way it played out, you know everybody's in the same situation, high pressure at the end, and other people didn't put on the same level. So I ended up with third place. But my coach and I deserved it. You know I worked hard for it, and that's how it's supposed to play out, so I'm just so thankful.

A rising sophomore, Richard won the NCAA All-Around men's championship title last season at Michigan. The future of more black women following Biles and men following Richard in gymnastics looks promising. Richard still must compete in the individual events.