2018 GK U.S. Classic - Olympic Channel Broadcast

as competition resulted in four Olympic gold medals now less than two years out in the Tokyo Olympics the athlete many consider to be the best female gymnast of all time Simone biles is back in action Olympic Channel home of Team USA proudly presents the 2018 u.s. classic beautiful evening here in Columbus the state capital largest city in the state and also the campus of the Ohio State University that's where we are inside the Schottenstein Center top gymnast from America including Simone biles look up ray tests the routines with an eye on the upcoming US and world championships and of course Tokyo Terry Gannon alongside the Olympic champions not the awoken in Tim Zagat have you heard someone bowels is coming back she's back here tonight Tim you think about the last time we saw her compete was Rio just a dominant performance there overall now about two years later what can we expect to see well you know at that time in 2016 I thought she was the most dominant female athlete in the world in any sport she won four gold medals and could have won five it was very very close but the scary thing is 2016 she was that great Terry she is better now the world and everybody else is quaking in their boots that's a big statement it is but it's absolutely true I got to talk to her last week before she was here in Columbus throughout the week we talked to her and she knows the expectations are so high but she has absolutely fulfilled at all expectations it's absolutely incredible just to watch her gymnastics but also the woman that she has become the confidence level it's just through the roof such a team player she really is one that all these young women can look up to here and for the next two years leading up to Tokyo she was born right here in Columbus got the family here tonight a lot of people obviously to watch Simone biles make this comeback on the road to Tokyo 2020 top stars are here though yet the u.s. championships coming up in a few weeks and eventually the World Championship so one of those top names they take you over to floor right now is the 18 year old from Phoenix Arizona Jade Kari what a wise in 2017 what a season she had surprised even herself the u.s. champ on fault silver medalist on floor this event right here but then went to the World Championships and won a couple of silver medals there too and the year before she was a Junior Olympic athlete she wasn't even on the radar of anybody so here we go [Music] but guide to that section I had my balance being peruca Louis and now on floor exercise workouts on a sunrise Jake Karen Jade Carrie who is coached by her father Brian and how does that sound familiar you know we were talking to her this week she was explaining the same exact situation that I had throat was 20 years but this is a really great routine for her right now the super-powerful gymnast you'll see it right here Wow oh and just a little bit out of bounds the yellow flag goes up and I'm not sure if it was one or both heels one oh it's one tents both out three tenths of a point on [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] have been very scary on that last time [Music] that she could pull that out but this was incredible double twisting double layout let's watch off her feet and heels are both certainly that certainly the right one it was really hard to tell from this angle the judges a little closer saw a balance being he has a better gymnastics will come back knee injury to she said she's about 85% right now that knee injured in March over to the uneven bars with we talked about it all the stars here we've got a reigning Olympic all-around champ Morgan her the world champ and the US champ in Regan Smith 17-year old kula Georgia just outside of Atlanta you know she could have very well been the world champion back in October in Montreal he was the favorite qualified very high into the finals and then immediately prior to the competition hurt her ankle and it had to pull out it was devastating [Applause] this was an event that Reagan struggled on when she was younger has three old and just as you say and I'll tell you she she has looked good here but a little bit rusty when you fall from the apparatus it's a full point off and she will lose also that skill coach Chris Burdette lifts her back up and you know every competition is obviously important play great for because it is that first point you've shown back into the second part of the season great finish for Regan but as I was saying moving international championships she wants to get these mistakes out of the way here then ankle injury to really serious torn ligaments and really told she needed surgery decided not to do it and just rehab and trying to work her way back it's still swollen still bandaged Regan Smith so now on floor it is the 21 year old from Spring Texas and four of them Olympic gold she said I got a different perspective now coming back after spending some time away gymnastics fits into my life she was [Music] [Applause] it out-of-bounds over-rotated that [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] he is the greatest gymnast of all time oh my god oh my god unreal I mean her mouth so difficult double twisting double laid out somersault just had too much power kind of bound it out of bounds but you know at every pass and that routine I mean the mount was upgraded she now does a double-double at the end of a routine which is it's crazy the ROM and Cecile Landy are new coaches but here's that first opening pass so you'll see two flips two twists in a laid out position and not many people in the world can actually do this skill let alone have too much power to complete it and when you are Simone biles you got to do your name and it's right there in that last pass so it's the same exact pass as the opening but in a tucked position just phenomenal so hard she said she was nervous coming in here because she didn't quite know what to expect from herself however big picture she said then fear now [Music] [Applause] you [Music] [Music] [Music] you [Music] yes the yellow flag was raised she went out of bounds as well small deduction has a great career ahead of her all right how about having to follow Simone biles on Florida I don't think anybody would like to follow some Oh files on any events at Karma especially when you're 15 years old Madeline so Simone biles after that first rotation and the effort on floor fourteen point seven five as you look at the numbers also for jQuery thirteen point nine and Regan Smith thirteen point three so we continue here at the US classic and the first rotation short time ago Jordan Child's the seventeen-year-old from Vancouver Washington Stefan on ball doing another half twist on that which raises the maximum score potential and you see she's doing a second vault has to be a complete different entry on to the table to qualify to potentially a vaulting finals at the World Championships you have to do two separate vaults so that is of course her hopes and was told as a kid she said that she would become a world champion fall just following that so look at Tom Forrester who is the new high performance director for the Women's National Team obviously a challenging time the wake of the Larry Nance or scandal many personnel changes the Board of Directors new question of a new training site so an important time for him and his efforts yeah but you know tom has been around for a very very long time he has the support of the coaches in the gymnastics community is very well-liked he has been a clinician and held talks all over the United States even the world for many many years he was the most popular choice and I think they got it right [Music] I over to the athlete who pulled off one of the big surprises of last year Morgan world champion in 2017 take a look guys how big of a surprise was this well as you can see right there her face says it all she was not the favorite going in but at the end of the competition she became a world all-around champion the smile says it all yeah so many reactions to that too and and such a figure out here big Harry Potter fan for ages reader she would goes from book to book but JK Rowling congratulations Morgan she answered oh my God thank you so much and then JK with the I'm truly honored to hear that from a real-life hero in glasses yeah and she I got to see her a little bit after that she was just uh she was to the moon and back tried to contact the choc gotten arrived so she sticks with the glasses and here she had right now reading darkest mind series the alexandra bracken series but we talked to her spent about 15 minutes with her this way my god I mean it's been all pangs of her you talk about those glasses and she said you know after she decided to abandon the contacts she said you know I want to be part of a role model for other athletes and hopefully even gymnasts in sports that you know if you wear glasses you can you can be great also here we go big start Oh baby [Music] [Applause] [Music] that's right here super-clean [Music] every competition is different and the judges the panel on the floor they're all different the world championships [Music] that's a shame right there that fun not the pinna folk going on now she's got a good I was about to say that the judging at the World Championships was so extreme who were critical virtually no athletes having less than two points and deductions [Music] the dismount double pipe you know we talked to her earlier this week she said I'm totally okay with not being 100% here at the classic competition national championships coming up and of course she hopes to make that world championship team again later this fall seventeen-year-old in Delaware who was born in China adopted as a baby raised by a single mom and so here's the front flip and that left foot it's barely even touches the beam and just glances off the side of it one more look right here and yeah it's not even close but sometimes the hardest part is getting back up and finishing strong she had a great finish capable of doing a much more difficult dismount but as she said she is working more on her upgrades and hopefully going to have all of that financials while the round world champ had also a silver medal at the World Championships on the balance beam but a bit of a struggle here in Columbus so one rotation in the books for Simone biles the last time she competed it looked and sounded like this in Rio I don't think there's anybody else in the world that can do this because that right there that is an Olympic gold medal-winning the u.s. classic is brought to you by GK choice of champions [Music] Columbus Ohio one rotation done for the evening three more to go here is test for the top names including Simone biles senior living car with the upcoming US Championships as she warms up where she needs to be I mean should not have competed thanks Rio to come back looking as good as she does and it's just the classic wait till the national championships the world championships later this year well there's a shock after one rotation Simone biles on top the overall standings in the online and morgan hurt on beat 14.4 so it took a bit of a hit there absolutely with that one point deduction for those of you that didn't tune in until today to see Simone biles the last time you watched was Rio the scores that were seeing today are going to be 5/10 slower basically across the board because of rule changes not because she's any less fantastic that's for everybody almost eight fifty point nine six six in Rio and much significantly lower here but that's a big part of it but I'll get your thoughts overall on what we saw from this performance start to finish I mean it just should do such difficult skills she does them so well she makes it look so easy and Terry let me tell you this is not easy oh that's the last thing [Music] this was obviously a little while ago but what a start for her and that's a new path completely new war rule changes necessitated that you know she's said earlier this week and this is the brand Authority for her she didn't know how she was gonna perform was she gonna be serious was she gonna smile and I I kind of said I think what if she gets out there the crowd the energy back into that competition form she's been a smile in there what's funny again you know I think every time I watch her yes it's a competition but it's at least as much for us celebration dance party - no absolutely but really going over the top once again this dismount that she does there really are only a few handfuls of people in the world that can do this as a mount and she's doing this after the exhausting routine two plaits two twists almost perfect on the landing yikes my play well in Doha Qatar as well and Simone biles so that already complete when we come back she'll compete on vault here at the US classic in Columbus back with a look at the standings after the first rotation what a surprise Simone biles on top Morgan heard 13.4 scorer on B / - vault as we wait for miles to get [Music] for eighth time at this us classic she said each generation has its own greatest of all times but I'm not so sure that applies to this generation I think this one might be the best of that I have to disagree with her on that it's not just because of that she's won so many different is monumental super difficult vault it's called a Chung oh and once again too much power [Applause] [Music] in Rio she actually performed this vault second but this has a higher maximum score watch really complicated after and their half turn there and then bam explodes off the table one and a half twist with a lay out front okay and I said dance on the floor and I'm going to say it again because this vault is so difficult not many people in the world can even land on their feet and just like floor has even too much power it's incredible and yes there was a smile at the end of that one again fifteen-year-old Emma hallelujah [Music] the decision [Music] [Music] really nice yeah [Music] one of the I mean certainly it's a challenging move but not that challenging and we've seen two great gymnasts come up on it that great standing Iranian but set out of control [Music] you know typically at the classic you don't see very many at the top generally doing the olives a lot of times they come in they do want to make two events and just a couple here and there will do the other some people are hypothesizing that because there aren't as many camps nowadays and there aren't verification they don't have as many opportunities to get out in front of a judge so possibly that's one of the reasons good routine but obviously with the fall and then the big step on the Arabian firmly committed to UCLA training down in Texas down Emma Malibu [Applause] yo-yo Nest Jenna Koba who won this last year won the all-around last year's senior role from Evergreen she has got a very difficult poverty you know if if things are on it goes it goes well and she can be tremendous but because there are so many connections from one skillet to another if she's got a little bit on can get a little bit there these right here nice handstand Wow she handled that great combination just back-to-back-to-back thought she was gonna struggle a little and a good dismount I tell you what that's a very very good job for her that release skill before she transitioned to the low bar was a little bit tight and then she would have to connect it right in to back up to the high bar I thought it was gonna cause her problems but in Tim as you said obviously the skills are difficult but what makes that routines so much more difficult if that all of the skills are combined back to back to back no room for error at all family of gymnasts or parents both for the Soviet Union and her sister Polina remember the u.s. national team and now competing for the University of Michigan Aliona shinnok OVA [Music] so we move over to Regan Smith on balance beam who is coming back from that injury which took her out of the World Championship to the US Champion ballroom champ balance beam and floor and then this is what took place during the warm-ups at the World Championships and you know she was the absolute favorite going into the World Championship to win that all-around gold medal and it was absolutely devastating for her you know the score that she got in qualifying was seven tenths higher than what Morgan Horne who won the gold medal win in the all-around finals [Applause] [Music] [Applause] can bounce back though for since she was a little young lady the Howards mean hasn't been a birthday [Music] this elbow right here [Music] [Applause] this back to the pole [Applause] [Music] Dravid front flip [Music] [Applause] [Applause] [Music] one of the alternates for that the 2016 Olympic team in this event right here balance beam was one of the main reasons why there you go that'll help quite a bit not badly it's here most of them competing in the all-around all four of the events and Regan Smith saving some upgrades to the US Championship she told us so on false Simone biles there's the number and it's in green this means that deduction is limited yellow is stuck to take off some points in red and you've taken a major hit probably the Tufts crew now set to go this is also a jam-packed routine as beautiful lines look at the body position Shia that handstand started off on her most challenging event Falls really did a great job and so far here another stunned me another great combo there this dismount has given her some anxiety but that once again Riley mckusker she's back she looks as secure and confident there as anybody out here and that is exactly what we want to see from her right over the vault chain very ready to go now tied for fifth after the first rotation and not one but two just like at the World Championships last year she competed two bolts in order to metal there [Music] really powerful your chenko double full awesome job she's capable of doing an extra half turn she hurt her knee a little bit back in March and has been struggling with it says vault is the last place where it's starting to come back and it's the run that hurts the most but look at she just explodes off that table there's a second look as you said Tim a little bit easier than we normally see she's hoping to upgrade add an extra half twist to this vault by the national championships recent graduates Mountain Ridge High School Phoenix area said they had a big assembly there a surprise to her that actually asked her to do a gym floor so yeah does he quite work that way [Music] until they asked me to do a floor team on the basketball now in Montreal where she won that silver medal I thought she was the best vaulter there but had too much power and bounded out of her first vault me M&R had to settle with silver her second vault was a more traditional on the men's side vault called the Casa Matsu she has abandoned that and is now doing the same type of vault that we saw Simone biles do she'll do a half turn onto the board turn them onto the table and then she'll leave the table hopes to be the same one and a half and Salome did but for right now only doing it tournament [Music] your work is done you've done all you can any judged sport it's going to be like especially I would think going back to back for a second attempt and you're not pleased with that number you see pop up [Music] unusually well I don't get it because it's you know it was a very straightforward fault very clean pretty good landing I don't know what they could be debating about maybe dinner plans look turned into a stare from Jake here we go second fall from Jane [Music] nice job there's that new style vault for her so she surprised herself with her success last season Jade Carrie and the two bolts Jorden child's second place after the first rotation started on balls to give you some perspective and that typically is the the highest scoring fall event in women's gymnastics combination we'll try to do a couple of releases in a row oh geez Wow just didn't have her heels come up long enough in the back and what happens is you're flipping a little bit too far away from the bar and no matter what you do once you've let go too early let's watch her heels should come up a little bit higher let's go and doesn't get her entire grip around the bar nothing you can do here is that multi release to catch up right into a Ginga [Music] how difficult is that to start stop start again I think especially on this event it is the most difficult to fall to get back up you only have 30 seconds to get back up on the bar Jordan child's whose mom named her after Michael Jordan was wearing Nikes the other dassit know Jordans so I've got five pairs but they're at home right so Regan Smith 14.5 for that effort that we saw on the balance beam it is in green to the floor from Morgan perv she's got hey Timmy you you asked her the other day how would you all like to be remembered I thought she had a great answer she said she thought about it deep in fun then she said no one was ever born that's what I'd like to good thing it was awesome I've never heard it before and and you're not when you're watching this young lady you know we have been you know glowing about Simone biles and the power or what she's capable of doing Morgan heard is going to do the same hoping for something wrong so here is disappointing the first rotation [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] [Applause] that was a spectacular exercise and come back for Morgan heard super difficult tumbling very well performed love the choreography that was just awesome you know we were going crazy about Simone biles and the power of Simone biles Morgan actually does the same open tumbling run here it is right here that double twisting double laid out somersault there there aren't a handful of girls in the world that are doing this right now and she does it rate maybe a little close to the hips but a phenomenal landing she said I don't think about having won the World Championship very often but then I walk in where I train I see the giant poster of myself if it reminds me daily [Applause] end of that second rotation two down two to go for Simone biles and the American stars here in Columbus in case you haven't heard the Olympic Games returned in the summer of 2020 live from Tokyo on NBC at the time hosting the games 1964 what a brilliant look got a great city so we keep it in Asia for the Olympics Simone biles and the top American gymnast here in Columbus for this US classic Terry Gannon Nastia Liukin and Tim Daggett worth another look I think the balls that we saw a short time ago from Simone biles so intricate and you know what she has so much power on this I think she could do not just another half turn but a whole another full twist and still put it to our feet this is incredible oh it's so easy it's too easy huh how does she do that I don't know well if you don't no one does very few in the world would and the current leader so far so good I mean I know leading but just in terms of what we achieved she's going to remain the leader without a doubt she is back and when we talked to her earlier this week she said I think that this Simone would beat the Simone in Rio and I think a lot of people were a little bit surprised and shocked but watching her today yeah absolutely because she has her own expect a I know she she's leading you said well she's gonna win the all-around go on it but high expectations personally for her in the effort and a little tired right now I get the be on one and welcome in Tom Foster dueling's the new high performance director for the US Women's National Team all the way down there but how you do it done for you you take over how do you see this role that you have in the challenges that you now face it's really just about trying to bring all the team and the coaches together because we have another standard training center in quite a while so everybody just wants to get together again on a more consistent basis so we can get back to how we've been training [Music] watching the hopes classic and then of course the juniors and and your face was kind of lighting up but you're smiling because immediately there's amazing town out here on the floor tonight that we are seeing but there's even more that aren't here tonight there is an exciting thing is we we have an entire system now young coaches that are coming up mixed in with these really experienced coaches they're learning from one another and the athletes are pushing one another but they get together so frequently that they have a lot of camaraderie it's a really neat kind of a sorority that they belong to and they're you know iron sharpens iron and so they're really pushing each other it's it's a very exciting time I tell you time you got the hardest job in the world you come in and Simone biles comes out of retirement the most dominant female athlete in the world when she was competing in 2016 she's on your team that's a good thing right you know it's not that if we put it in layman's terms a point in gymnastics is like a touchdown in football we basically start every competition with her in it two touchdowns ahead really it's a nice note it's a nice thing to have but she's also really motivating other she's challenging all the other athletes you see other double twisting double outs because Simone is pushing them and they're trying to rise to that level so she influences us not just in score but also in motivation and but what by the way that's not fair it's a challenge to coach LeBron to you steps you have to bring it all together in some way and not that terms the competition I hear it goes wait baskets between the two of you I got to keep your reputation and when you look out here what is it that you see that really excites you well they see the execution is cleaning up we see a lot between the lines form is getting better you know there's two ways to score in this sport do you add more difficulty which is a risk or you get cleaner and they're really best of the best do both so with the upper coming kids they've got to make a decision and what we've seen is when you get your foundation right and it's really clean then you can start out any difficulty so I think the coaches are making smart decisions you've also got decisions to get the world championship team and then eventually look down the road at the Olympics too but that's that's all part of this process it is and for the first time a team can qualify to the Olympics two years out so that's our goal is to finished in the top three so we secured a berth and toghether well that's the what okay there that is great spending time with you my performance director for the US Women's National Team is to look at Simone biles who will be no question about it the star the name looking forward to the next couple of years less than two years out until Tokyo 2020 now so we checked the standings after the second rotation Simone biles on top but Reilly McCusker and alyona Chinna Koba who won the all-around at this event last year as we continue in a moment from the US classic a look at the standings after the second rotation Simone biles and she ones up on Mars in the lead I'm gonna cuss curtain and Eleana shinik over who won last year morgan heard by the way thirteen point eight five and that's right folks you just saw simone biles fall in the warm-up on whatever release spells moves the pathway it's just a warm-up guys a reminder august 6th through the 10th olympic channel on with Team USA showing some of the most memorable events from the 2008 olympics every night in primetime series called return to face a 10th anniversary I remember Michael Phelps in the final and oh yeah I do remember something else about the gymnastics oh oh that's right laughs dude clearly trying to eat here thing you're wearing that same outfit tonight just with the magic cake scrunchie to just remembering a decade later so well it was a great moment and nastya one of the all-time greatest in the sport of gymnastics without question anybody disputes that they're wrong Morgan hurt by the way does she ever stop entertaining it always planned in the crib on to the balance beam our unit Shanah Tovah the 17 year old from Colorado for the second rotation Terry as you mentioned she won the contest last year I talked to her after that was she was like oh my god I won I can't believe it she said that really made me feel like I belong very difficult three times around and that won't turn and then a double maybe doesn't look that hard but I'll tell you what you see athletes all around the world really struggle with that definitely not my favorite skills but when it's valued as high as it is you're not in the minority their typical combination three skills in a row but fight [Music] [Applause] little tentative there to put those skills together that front aerial combination [Music] [Music] certainly doing her job today but it's not laughs right here skittles into a double tuck oh boy Wow kind of wobbled I'm the take off and she doesn't typically have a lot of excess power Wow [Music] and here's that series that [Music] here's that series she opened up with three skills in a row back handspring back layout might layout than me with a little bent a little off but as I said good save but watch the feet on this right here from that angle it doesn't really look like it her parents didn't look like they were concerned at all either but from the other ankle angle I thought I saw you know a big wobble with one of those feet eventually headed to the University of Michigan she might want to keep quiet here in Columbus at Ohio State about that Eliana Jenna Koba you mentioned the parents we saw Alex and Katja not one but two parents then my mom was kind of the one that you know held it all together as tough as it might be to separate the the gym from home with one it got to be impossible I don't get it and you know what then it's more than that for her entire life it wasn't just her and her parents it was her her parents and her older sister history you know how is that ride home after a really rough workout [Music] but you know she's all smiles when you can get beam out of the way then it's it's kind of feels a little bit easier that high-five from dad as they continue to wait though quite in right now now there it is thirteen point four there's the yellow and what when you see that yellow it means there are a good amount of deductions over two points off in that routine and it was fairly clean as I said earlier feed can be really critical so in second place and after the second rotation the 17 year old from New Jersey violated huh school be of course trains at the same gym as Laurie Hernandez did when she was competing for Team USA Laurie of course the silver medalist on balance beam in Rio [Music] combination Wow once again off on the second lay outfit Nasia how did she hang on I have no idea I was jump differently [Music] right there in the combination was but everything that she does is just so gorgeous from the skills to the to the dance you know she had struggled with consistency she hadn't flashes of brilliance and basically today that's all we've seen dismount [Music] [Applause] a really great routine and an amazing safe an international bar coming in even for herself because of that injury which took her away for over four months from competing and from training hers getting sentence would come back on floor after the struggle early at seven after two rotations so much power for so many of the athletes here today and these athletes make it look so easy though all around the world you'll see teams that can't even muster one gym that's doing this vault and they'll barely get it to their feet at all and Morgan just bounced out of it and so what the judges are looking for open hips toes together knees straight and of course the landing and right down the middle just like she did said she doesn't try to think about Tokyo in fact keeps it behind seven locked doors most of the time but it keeps creeping into her mind more than her yeah I googled that today to try to figure out if she was referencing something [Applause] [Music] so we go up the beam and Jordan charges seventeen-year-old just about ready to go all around silver medalist at the US Championships and how about what she has done the balance we take you back to the US Championships 2017 supposed to do that and if you look at her face I think she is just so shocked so stunned doesn't know what happened it just keeps spinning and spinning spinning and spinning we asked her when we were talking to her so I don't think anybody could recreate that ever I mean they could try to do something like that many many times and failed every single time but you know what also impressive as so many people would have done something like that it probably jumped off yeah and she just kept going on breathing the teen as it plants a facial expression never changed [Music] there we go here's that turn [Applause] that were that well [Music] so it's interesting you ask all these young ladies about thinking towards the next Olympic Games and some of them don't want to think about it at all Jordan child says I think about it three or four times a day sending very long wrote for her she has been around very high ranked junior gym masters well [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] same scale that so many have started with today which is literal [Music] [Applause] she stayed on so far adjust for this amount left Oh that will that's gonna cost her every one of those steps were wider than shoulder-width apart so each one of them three tenths of a point deduction close to a point off right there just on the landing so problems on the dismount for Jordan child's here on the beam and no problems for Simone biles so far tonight in the combating it has been successful and it continues as do we in a moment here at the u.s. classic [Music] back to the look Riley Tusker coming off that performance on beam as we continue here with the third rotation Terry Gannon along with Nazia Lucan and Tim Daggett here they get ready for all of the upcoming events but this is an event that's been around since 1983 some big-time people have wanted including well you know this is one of those events that's just always on your schedule no matter where you are in your competition kind of process gearing up towards the end of the year Jade Kerry for instance who it's coming up right now on bars this is a big deal for her because she's actually competing the all-around competition in fourth place after two rotations this is huge she told us she has never as an elite gymnast competed on bars I think she said that she did the all-around one time as an elite but at a much lower level event I might I might be Leterrier right I thought you said she has never Jade Kerry the 18 year old getting ready in fourth place after the second rotation so that third rotation continues in this an apparatus that she is not used to competing the thought as an elite gymnast she's not but she said with everything that I did last year I thought I could do all around if I just had a decent bar routine and just never really doubt not all the way out in her shoulders as she was throwing the bar away from her causes you to drift a little bit back you know this isn't exactly the event where Team USA would use Jade adderall Championships so this by no means hurts her chances to try to make that World Championship team later this fall you know every kid starts off they don't start off specializing they all start out doing the all-around and at some point some of the athletes decide you know what I'm gonna stop doing this event and you know she's capable here she's not world-class on uneven bars but she is not bad at all in it is a foundation that she certainly can't build on and you know really be not bad at all on the uneven bars knotted the head from some bones vials hit to the confidence out think though stepping up there for the first time and having that happen absolutely but you know I think right here is we're a little short on that handstand which right from the top especially when you're enacting those two skills together you're off right away absolutely but Jade Kerry she can flip it twist great in the air like a cat sticks that landing [Music] and remember all of this against the context of or in the context of not being 100% healthy - so maybe 85% Simone biles Get Set four bars which is not better we're finest apparatus no it hasn't but that guy standing right next to her Laurent Landy is really well known for getting it done on the uneven bars he coached Madison koushin a member of that Rio team that won the gold medal and Madison also got a silver medal on the uneven bars she was world champion tied with three other gymnasts the year before the Olympic Games and lorac right from the beginning it was like he was like live he so badly wanted to get with Simone I think to see that if he could get her to be a little bit more natural on the event and he said that really he's got to get her to believe that she's good enough [Music] you know this might not be her strongest event when you're comparing it to the others but let me tell you it's it's a little exactly bad I mean she has tons of up roads and she's probably a little bit nervous for those right here Riley McCusker 14.5 5 on the balance beat in that effort a short time ago so in green 1.25 and not too bad in terms of the deductions so Simone biles getting set back in Rio she won the gold in the all round the team the floor can fall but a bronze the beam here she goes on the bars doing a much more difficult routine starts right here she struggled on that was too far in warm-ups it was too close there oh my goodness [Music] that you just don't see from Simone biles [Music] in warm-ups she was too far on her release skill made an adjustment which she needed to do but was too close I think she actually flipped her heels on the bar and then balling the wrong way [Music] this is new firmer right here and it's a big skill nice [Music] also a new dismount and really hard double juicing double somersault like nothing okay so she has a major mistake shows that she's human but let's just not forget the big picture here she its back and in my opinion even with that fall she still looks better than she ever has an upgrade - barb - yeah she has a mistake she has time to get even better more consistent more confident as we get towards the national championships worlds and of course Tokyo 2020 but right here she connects into what let's call it Tkach f was just a little close there but that it's where it really went wrong it was supposed to be on the other side of the bar and she just you know I think she got a little bit flustered being a little close and should have traveled over the bar had to do a whole tap turn and jump off but here's that brand-new dismount double twisting those back to Flint's to twist there was quite some time taken talking to her coach Laughlin David was there some thought as to not continuing or just trying to figure out where she goes from there definitely wasn't about continued I think possibly performing the rest of the routine with all difficulties first bit of struggle here in Columbus for Simone biles as we continue from the u.s. classic that's a look of concern earlier a bit of disgust as she left the uneven bars for Simone biles we are not used to seeing that well I think for her the expectations that she's put on herself here regardless of the fact that she hasn't competed in a few years she wants to go out she wants to hit like any other gymnasts does so yeah she's upset but she needs to turn the page now focus on her last event the balance beam she's fierce though absolutely well just not used to being in this situation at all I think about the Olympic golds that she wants but leading up to Rio also the first woman to win three straight world of all-around titles I mean she just doesn't lose in terms of all right so it is not simone biles it is riley McCusker who leads the way after the food rotation which is amazing but she has done a phenomenal job and has been error-free she's actually on a pre stable event to floor exercise so it's worth a look taking you back to the effort on the uneven bars and what's your place for Simone biles in what is admittedly I mean we talked about the weakest quote-unquote all in perspective of the poor for her she had a mistake in the warm-up and sometimes that can rattle you because it was this skill right here she fell off in the warm-up there she was a little bit too close immediately went into this skill and that's where it all went wrong [Music] again for me this is no big deal yes she's upset she's disappointed and frustrated but especially on a scale like that she can do that in her sleep that was probably one of the more easier ones I think she just this is in the past actually but she said I can do it you know and from that point she did her entire routine again they probably in my opinion maybe they were talking about the dismount do you want to just do an easier dismount thinking and she went for it double twisting double back drop on the landing but again new dismount for her a lot of upgrades in that routine a good reason no smile at the end after that effort but it's a bit of a look at determination that was one rotation left so that I know it's not a major thing to worry about in your mind but it's just when this crowd first of all went silent when that habit but also looked up at the standings in Sullivan Simone biles it's not in the lead a bit of a gasp - yes without question but I'll tell you what Riley is going to floor and she's wonderful very artistic on floor exercise not quite as powerful as some of the other gymnasts Simone biles is going to peen where she can be phenomenal if I had to handicap it at this point I still say that Simone is gonna go home your classic champion however what an opportunity if you're reilly mckusker to be able to say and no one can ever take that away from you I faced Simone biles and beat her in the Oliver not many people in the world have could ever say and that's in front of her right now that opportunity not done just yet though I mean you really got to go back to like 2013 the last time she lost a significant don't take this the wrong way but I think Riley ought to get her camera out and take a picture of the scoreboard because she's tremendous but I'm at samode I think will be just too hard to knock off here did have that book a moment ago didn't she so McCusker on the bird she hopes up perhaps winning this us class against Simone biles knitting a little bit of a comeback they remind us Simone biles and the best American gymnasts will be in Boston for the US gymnastics championships we'll be there as well August 16th to the 19th on NBC nbcsn is part of Team USA summer champions series presented by Xfinity a look of determination I guess right now but shock from everybody in the arena when they look up and see Wiley mckusker in first place over Simone biles after the third rotation and Riley mckusker will have her opportunity on floors what a golden opportunity and you wonder how many times you're ever gonna be in this position and she's actually doing something brand new that's very challenging she was planning on it anyways a double laid out somersault for her first tumbling pass [Music] [Applause] just when you talk about artistry that is just stunning now the team as you said upgraded first pass but she of course is happy I think this is the best that we have seamer on all four events and this is that first tumbling run that's new double laid out summers a little bit low but she gets it around him really the only other place with struggle there it looks like she may be under rotated the double twist and then had to punch immediately into a foot clip and I tell you watch she had one double back right here for what I think is the best meat she's ever had in her life and what a great time to do it and I doubt she could honestly tell you she thought coming in she'd be anywhere near this position of actually being able to beat Simone biles here at the US classic you know I think regardless of the outcome regardless of wherever she finishes for her to have this kind of competition going into the national championships and later hopefully the World Championships this is exactly what she needed I'll tell you what she is I mean just I've never seen her look so joyful you know I've been reading for her no I know you have yes she's been just like in my heart I just gravitated towards her so much it's just so stunning everything that she does maybe not the highest level of difficulty on some of the events but it's beautiful gymnastics besides the personal achievement and BIOS internet this is an event where she can really solidify her place and where she is among those names coming in when you look ahead to the world championships absolutely the selection committee isn't just looking at that one competition that will name the world championships they're going to look back throughout the whole season and say okay how did they do here how consistent were they and so this is just she could've asked for a better competition so we'll get the numbers for her Jordan child's now in seventh place after the third rotation [Music] [Music] by the way it's got the number into Riley mckusker 30 six which is to be fourth place some of the tumbling parts a chest down on the landing but even still even with his score Riley mckusker she's over the moon right now [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] and that was a great finish for Jordan to complete different style than will be solved from right so much power is a little low on some of those landings but as we move forward towards the national championships I know you see great things from her I do but she's also been a little bit banged up hasn't been at her very best nice double twist right there a little bit of leg separation in the air but has a lot of tremendous quality has a lot of speed on the run and transfers that into the vaulting table you got to get your arms back as fast as you can and try to rebound not push which she does very well and as I said earlier the judges are looking for so many different things on the vault the height the distance knees toes Tim as you mentioned landing straight on the line there's a lot goes into such a quick loss that's a pretty good job though right there so I keep it here on fall is Regan Smith will be next to keep in mind I mean it always matters who wins it's a competition but this is all against the backdrop of the upcoming big events especially at the US classic you know this is the event where we're getting back out into competition maybe trying some new skills but you always want to do what you want to impress the selection committee same balls that we just saw from Emma I'll tell you what I haven't really seen her do a fall like she did before she injured that ankle in Montreal is still heavily taped as we talked about still gives her you know some problems and hurts and just didn't quite have the power the quickness right here on the twist really low pipe down checks down sold you better wonder what not for sure the Regan Smith was telling us I'm saving my upgrades for the US Championships not really bringing them here Tara eager the 15 year old from Green Valley lizard and this is a very different routine but it is wonderful she actually looks like she's now on a balance really kind of smooth throughout the routine doesn't have a lot of awkward pauses it's a great style that is really hard to follow [Music] another one right here really nice super hard combination that aerial it's a two back layout step outs [Music] it's an unconventional routine doesn't do the bashfulness super hard element like that but all of the things that she does together [Music] Oh [Music] Wow [Music] easier skills in her try it again yeah Borgess great amplitude on it [Music] that's too bad because she's wonderful on this event here just as you said many different of beautiful style ordinate Lee had that fall recent winner American classic on beam fifteen-year-old Kyra Iker words of consolation so there is more in her that he ready to go on the uneven bars [Music] she's good here too lots of difficulty [Music] and act it down to low get those handstands and that was awesome beautiful lines [Music] little shy on that but that was the best routine of the day for Morgan heard [Applause] you know she had a fall earlier in the competition but she just came back and had an amazing routine that the more in her that were used to seeing just confident and here's that combination you see from high to low beautiful extension toes pointed knees straight stand and this was actually really the only fault right here she doesn't hit a good handstand at the end but combines it right into that dismount there you go which he won that World Championship I think some people looked for validation after that you guys see it right I mean it is all there without question [Music] we take you over to the beam well there's been a lot of trouble tonight I mean you and I I asked these questions Jessie no one ever feels entirely comfortable on beat you said you really enjoyed it or order viewer as confident as you could get but there been some some mistakes and some Falls to them I agree with you and I also have to say I was probably most nervous when he was my last of us you know you just don't really want to end on beam especially when you know you either have a chance to land you have a chance to make something it's just it's not always a fun event when there's extra pressure there forages you look at me like that's a serious question so that stair at the judges it took a long time for a number to come up [Music] that seemed like an eternity [Music] [Applause] so this effort begins for Terry [Music] [Music] [Music] the problem is event we have a the bars came off our major release skill here's a test right here very difficult sweets in a row last one most difficult to laid out flip landing out of two feet which makes it much more challenging than landing one Civic Center Baltimore extremely powerful and in tool for strongest events be being the next and important we mentioned one of the first times competing at an elite competition she said she was motivated by Aly Raisman who of course won the silver medal Olympics and Ali was not known to be a bar worker [Music] and I'll tell you what there if she wasn't so strong there is no way that she would have been able to stay on her feet many people just a handful of people would would have been able to be that over-rotated and not sit down at that series that was earlier in her team three skills in a row back handspring back layout two feet just a little off but very difficult combination and she did it cut it was very well done and so I always say if your hips are way behind your heels when you land you can't put it to your feet but she makes a liar out of me because and only because she is so quick and so strong you're barely a liar [Music] so the overall weight for riley McCusker short childs good effort and that last event in the top three now Jade waits for her number [Music] it is not unique to gymnastics but it's certainly one of those aspects that doesn't happen very often you you are competitors but your teammates as well and you see that come through in practice and during competitions course you do go out there at times and you are competing at the team but I would say the last few Olympic cycles it's been so cool to see well close these girls have really gotten in how much they genuinely care for each other and are cheering for each other Riley mckusker 13.6 on floor so that the yellow it's a one-point seven deduction and that fourth overall on floor so ok had some landing issues chest a little bit too far down that's where I think they got most of it now on the bars Morgan heard fourteen point seven and cheering from the side so take over to the beam and Simone biles her last event here this final rotation 14.0 that is what she would need to top McCusker store [Music] Wow what power that score today is Riley McCusker on beam 14.5 5 certainly Simone capable this is her biggest test right here front flip with a half turn it was great [Music] one more sequence that has given her some trouble here at Columbus it's right here the funds of to layout step outs [Music] money [Music] as well but lifting the tight position or legs are straight [Music] all righty I told you you should have taken a picture of that scoreboard because right here one of the most difficult dismounts in the world somali Wow she's the champ still gnostic she wasn't going to allow this to happen you know i think i said earlier on in the show that her name was in the leaderboard and it was going to stay there it kind of just dropped for a second but i'm pretty sure it's gonna be right back up there and it is not gonna move for a long time and here's that series three skills in a row that can't spring back lay out back layout perfect and the dismount one of the most difficult being done today and done flawlessly huge power and right there her first meet back and she's still on top I think she's just champion for sure determined maybe that trouble on the bars flip the switch of determination and she looked up saw her name not leading me all around here in an event and said no this is not going to happen so Simone biles comes back on the beam and just blows the doors off [Applause] and there's that smile back I mean she sucked such a competitor because in Columbus she has had a lot of struggles on beam that miranne er front with a half in the beginning she numerous Falls she struggled yesterday on that series that Nastya highlighted the two layout step-out [Music] number fourteen point out is what she would need [Applause] and you got to believe that she'll sail by that Oh God if she doesn't I don't know what the judges are doing there there is a 14.5 5 and 14.5 yeah so maybe a formality at this point yeah maybe close to a 15 which is in today's world just crazy on balance beam the last thing she wanted to do is come back and and not win this first event and here you go they have just put it up on the board here in the arena 15.2 so yeah it's enough and then Sun in that planet rotation Simone biles wins this US classic and we will hear from the reigning Olympic all-around champion in a few moments get a word with her here with the effort in Columbus [Music] so this is this is a little tough to right get thing you gotta go after Simone biles ooh just dominated even with the fallout of course I was expected she came out on top it's a cool box [Music] [Applause] a little [Music] we'll do a double here lots of bonus points there that's why you see it so often [Music] races but she made of Maggie Nichols who was in the run the hottie for the 2016 team was a part of the 2015 gold medalist team at the world championship but an injury kind of took her out of contention [Music] [Applause] [Music] for those at home just when you starting to think if this beam isn't that difficult you should stop Simone she could do anything on it I'll tell you what it is [Music] see at all [Music] use focus for just a millisecond you start thinking a little bit ahead or thinking about something that didn't go as well as you had hoped and you are off staring at the beam [Applause] first senior season and Tom Morgan heard at the Pacific Rim championships has a fifteen-year-old to win the all-around title there grace me no I'm having yes to follow up Simone biles on the beam but is Simone biles who's gonna win here in Columbus yet another all-around title we'll get a word with the reigning all-around Olympic champ in a moment [Music] the US classic has been brought to you by GK choice of Champions close it out on this night here in Columbus at the u.s. classic Schottenstein Center begins quiet down a little bit after that dramatic ending from Simone biles on the beam trailing at that point guys that in a position that nobody in this building thought you would be in no absolutely but you know the scoreboard at the end tells the whole story and once again Simone biles doesn't win by tenths of a point she won by over a point with a major mistake in her first competition [Music] you know you said something a few moments ago at some point for those of you at home thinking that's easy at this pathetic you're too close to it none of us at home ever thought watching Simone biles wish to win wryly mckusker and then Morgan her the top three so Simone biles gonna get a word with her right now and congratulate Simone on the victory he's a moan thank you for joining us congratulations nos you've got a question look on your face right now tell us what was going on in your mind yes I was just frustrated with the bar team that I did tonight just because in all the trainings I hadn't hit all my routines and it had gone so smoothly and I was super excited to showcase bars and so I was really just kind of annoyed with myself a little bit annoyed but assist your entire day here today and how it bodes for your future both at the nationals and then for the world championships and God I think this is a good starting point and there's still a lot to go from your but I'm pleased with the overall performance today I think I handled the nerves very well so I can't really complain the comeback I'm sure you spend a lot of time thinking about what that first event would be like not as it compared to what was in your mind prior I didn't think I would be as nervous as I was and every event that we went to even floor and vault I was just shaking and I was trying to calm myself down and I think I did an overall good job but it took some time Simone thanks best to luck - with all the competitions coming up thank you great to see you back Simone biles the reigning you you well everything Olympic all-around champion now us Classic champ - but thoughts guys my thought is the queen of gymnastics she absolutely is she's the one to beat but not even to be because nobody can even compete against her and I think Tim as you said in the open all the other countries are now a little afraid yeah they're shaking absolutely there's no question about it because yes she did have that problem on the uneven bars but I'll tell you what she is better no question then she was in Rio a couple of years ago thing look back at how her night went here and as we do that you know just a question about challenging yourself to because when you say no one can really challenge that's difficult then to take it up to the next level and have that challenge yourself so that has to come from within and when we talk to her this week when I got a chance to talk to her last week at home before she even got here I could just tell that that fire that motivation the drive it was all there she is here too for herself she had the passion she has the love she has she has it nobody in the world looks like that right there just she has way more power than anybody else yes this is where she struggled upgraded bar routine I'll tell you what though everybody around the world all of the gymnasts all of the coaches the administrators they are going to be looking for footage of Simone biles here and they're all going to be shaking their heads and you knew that was coming absolutely I mean just incredible incredible performance and you know I think we're not surprised by that performance at all but what makes it so difficult it's the amount of time that she actually spent out of the gym gymnastics is one of those sports knowing from experience that when you leave the gym even for a long weekend or a week-long vacation you feel rusty so for her to be able to come back out here again no surprise that she dominated the competition by over a point with a mistake whatsoever but just to see even early on in the national championships the world championships Tokyo still two years out and she is good I'm so excited will be interesting though because she has led her life and you know about this thinking about gymnastics all the time and she hasn't been doing that she has gained perspective on how gymnastics fits into her life by doing so many different things the last couple of years the Texans a cheerleader gone to the White House the president Dancing with the Stars award shows so many different aspects that don't involve training and competing and now she said I got a better perspective on how it fits in because of that but will there be any doubt I don't think so you know I think when talking to her she actually says that pokes her her boyfriends here supporting her she said spending time with him going the beach going to get ice cream those are the things that actually help me do better on the competition floor yeah she said she used to always just go right from the gym hurry back home sit in a room and kind of brood and she says now when I have some time I know if I take it for myself if I do go to the beach I can even have a little ice cream and it's not going to knock me off from being the best gymnast in the world and quite frankly without any question she is right now the best gymnast in the world again with more responsibilities though now - in terms of the UST because she is clearly no question about it the figure the presence for this team and the major influence on the other athletes without a doubt she has been a tremendous leader being able to watch her here this week the way she's interacted with the other athletes she has truly set the bar so high everybody it's just chasing her they're all motivated by her to do even better but I gotta tell you I got big shout out go Riley McCusker she was unbelievable start to finish here she's been inconsistent in the past not today she's here an emergence from Riley mckusker and that last rotation something to watch from Simone biles here in Columbus so we wrap things up and in my view of another three weeks Simone biles in the best American gymnasts are coming to Boston as they work for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics the US gymnastics championships August 16 NBC and nBC has said my entire crew I'm Terry Gannon saying goodbye from Columbus in the 2008 to humans classic [Music]

Channel: USA Gymnastics

Views: 1,727,250

Rating: 4.7866883 out of 5

Keywords: USA, Gymnastics, Sports, National Team, Routine, Training, Gymnastics Tricks, USA Gymnastics, Gymnast, Gymnastics Tips, Athlete, Motivation, Lessons, Amazing, How to, Gold Medal, Professional, Qualifying

Id: FNEeMvHmuEw

Length: 102min 55sec (6175 seconds)

Published: Sun Jul 29 2018

Reddit Comments

[u/Beyondthepetridish]

I’m so happy to have Terry Gannon hosting instead of Al Trautwig. I love his figure skating commentary where he barely talks and you can enjoy the performance and he did the same thing here. Hope he is a permanent replacement. Now if they can only get rid of Tara Lipinsky and Johnny Weir and their opinionated commentary.

[u/matrix2002]

Pretty fun competition overall. Riley was probably the most impressive for me overall.

Simone was insane, but sort of expected to do what she did. All indications before the meet were right about her prep.

Morgan, Ragan and even Simone all had falls, so it was far from perfect, but I really enjoyed it.

The world's team will be really strong again this year.

I am not sure of the format for the world's team. Is it 4 athletes or 5?

[u/sambrea]

I've been waiting all day for the broadcast to be put up! I hate watching gymnastics without commentary

[u/peeweeharmani]

Glad the video is up but the Biles-worshiping is a bit much. Did they show everything Simone did twice!? Glad she’s back... but let’s see some of the new talent too!

[u/howpureisivory]

Was a great broadcast except for so much time waiting for scores and not showing more routines.