Biles makes history with fourth all-around gymnastics world title

[November 02, 2018]    REUTERS/Brian Snyder
(Reuters) - Two falls on an "off day" did not prevent Simone Biles from becoming the first woman to win four all-around titles at the gymnastics world championships on Thursday.

Simone Biles prepares to compete on floor exercise at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., August 19, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

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Simone Biles prepares to compete on floor exercise at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston
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Source: Reuters
Simone Biles prepares to compete on floor exercise at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S., August 19, 2018.

Despite falls on the vault and balance beam, the American still finished with 57.491 points in Doha to add to the titles she won in 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Less than a week after visiting a hospital emergency room with a kidney stone that is yet to pass, Biles did not use the condition as a reason for her "disappointing" day.

"This one has probably been the hardest to get out of all my world championships and Olympic medals, and the scariest one," Biles said.

"It’s exciting to bring back a gold medal for the U.S., but for me it’s a bit disappointing because that’s not the performance I would hope to give."

The 21-year-old took more than a year off after winning four gold medals, including the all-around, at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"I think I gave everyone out there a heart attack, but it is what it is," she said of her mistakes.

"Even the best fall sometimes, but I’m excited that I pulled it out at the end. I was definitely shocked."

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

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