Simone Biles becomes most decorated woman in world gymnastics championships history

Biles' 15th career gold medal brings her a total of 21 medals, breaking a tie with the Russian gymnast Svetlana Khorkina for the most medals by a woman at the world championships

James Ellingworth
Tuesday 08 October 2019 11:27 EDT
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Simone Biles of USA celebrates after winning the women's team final
Simone Biles of USA celebrates after winning the women's team final (EPA)

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Simone Biles won a record 21st medal at the world gymnastics championships on Tuesday as the United States retained their women's team all-around title.

Biles' 15th career gold medal brings her a total of 21 medals, breaking a tie with the Russian gymnast Svetlana Khorkina for the most medals by a woman at the world championships.

She's now two short of Vitaly Scherbo's all-time record among men or women of 23.

The US team scored 172.330 points to beat second-placed Russia by 5.801 points and win their seventh consecutive team crown at an Olympics or world championships.

Biles posted the best individual scores on the vault, balance beam and floor.

Italy took bronze, as China failed to win a women's team medal for the first time since the 2003 world championships.

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