ANTWERP, Belgium — Simone Biles was not too worried about the number or color of any medals that might or might not come her way during this trip to the world championships.
That approach sure paid off.
The American superstar gymnast earned a third gold medal and then a fourth on the final day of the 2023 meet Sunday, winning the women’s balance beam and floor exercise finals in dominant fashion.
Back in Antwerp — where she started her collection of 23 world titles 10 years ago as a 16-year-old — Biles made a stunning return to the international stage over the past week. In addition to the pair of gold medals she won Sunday, Biles also was a silver medalist on vault after the sixth all-around title that made her the most decorated gymnast in history, male or female.
And in the absence of Russian rivals because of sanctions imposed as a result of the war against Ukraine, Biles led the U.S. women to a record seventh straight victory in the team event.