Simone Biles Wows on Vault While Surging to the Lead at the US Gymnastics Championships

Simone Biles celebrates after competing in the floor exercise at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, in San Jose, Calif., on Aug. 25, 2023. Jed Jacobsohn/AP Photo

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Laurent Landi stood on the mat, arms slightly outstretched. He took one small step to his right. Then another.

Above him, above everyone really, Simone Biles soared through the air. Her arms clasped behind her knees. Her legs at a perfect 90-degree angle from her body.