While Simone Biles has isolated herself in a league of her own, even the most decorated Olympic gymnast acknowledges she has tougher competitions ahead of her.
After losing her vault at last year’s World Championships to the opponent who scares me the most, Biles said she mimed taking a crown off her head and placing it on Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade.
However, the placement of the crown could be determined again when the American living legend and the Brazilian icon meet in the all-around on Thursday at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
While reigning all-around gold medalist Suni Lee will be in attendance, the outcome of last year’s competition and Biles’ return to the Olympic scene (she’s already claimed gold) leave little room for debate over who will be competing on Thursday.
Here, DailyMail.com looks at Andrade’s career and how she could be the biggest threat to Biles’ epic Olympic run.
Simone Biles will compete in the all-around event at the Olympics on Thursday
She will face Brazilian gymnastics icon Rebeca Andrade, who beat her on vault.
Born on May 8, 1999, this young woman from Guarulhos, Sao Paulo, grew up with seven siblings. Andrade began practicing gymnastics at the age of four after her aunt took her to the facility where she worked.
Rebe’s mother cleaned houses and walked to work to support her family and pay for her gymnastics training.
At the age of nine, Andrade moved to Curitiba to train before taking his talents to Rio de Janeiro to train with Flamengo the following year. In 2012, he began his international career and the rest is history.
Andrade’s talents have earned the vibrant nation its first Olympic gold medal in artistic gymnastics. She is also only the second Brazilian to take home gold at a world championship.
Andrade made her Olympic debut in Tokyo and won a gold medal on vault and a silver in the all-around. Earlier this week, she and her team won bronze medals when Biles and the Americans won the team event.
In addition, Andrade has three golds, four silvers and two bronzes in world championships. He also has two golds and two silvers in Pan American Games and four golds and two silvers in Pan American Championships.
Andrade and Biles finished 1-2 in most competitions at the world championships last year.
Biles and the Americans took gold in the team competition, kicking off their Olympic comeback
Andrade and Brazil finished third behind Team USA while Italy secured second place.
When Biles and Andrade met at the world championships, they finished 1-2 in everything except uneven bars and beam. Bars was won by China and Algeria. Meanwhile, Biles took gold on beam, while Andrade finished with bronze.
However, a friendly rivalry between them was born from their proximity in the rankings.
Biles took home four golds to Andrade’s one. Still, it was the Brazilian star’s victory on vault that makes their rematch in Paris one of the most eagerly awaited matches of these Olympics.
While the numbers are heavily and surprisingly in Biles’ favor, having lost to Andrade before has been enough for her to recognize the challenge.
The American’s 38 medals at Olympic and world competitions are a far cry from Andrade’s 12. But the Brazilian icon remains confident and relishing the opportunity.
Andrade won a gold in the vault and a silver in the all-around competition at the 2021 Tokyo Games
Andrade has a total of 12 medals in Olympic Games and World Championships
Biles’ victory on Tuesday made her the most decorated Olympic gymnast at the age of 27.
“It’s about doing the best I can,” Andrade told AFP. “I hope she does the same, that she does her best, because it’s an honour to be able to compete alongside her.”
Despite being considered rivals in their sport, the competitors share the utmost respect for one another. At the 2018 world championships, Biles encouraged Andrade as she recovered from the second of three ACL tears.
Andrade said Biles “spoke from the heart” at that moment and cemented a “relationship of admiration.”
As for last year’s figurative passing of the crown, Andrade didn’t question the respectful intent behind Biles’ gesture.
“I saw it as something genuine, spontaneous, recognizing the place she has in gymnastics in the world,” she told Brazilian newspaper Marie Claire.