Simone Biles Hilariously Stages 'Funeral' for Her Signature Biles II Vault: 'Rest in Peace'
Known as the "world's most difficult vault," the skill was formerly called the Yurchenko double pike
Julian Finney/Getty
Simone Biles is laying to rest a beloved skill.
In a hilarious photo shoot posted to her Instagram account on Monday, Sept. 2, the 11-time Olympic medalist seemingly shared that she will no longer be performing the Yurchenko double pike vault — which is also known as the “Biles II.”
“Rest in peace yurchenko double pike 🫶🏾” the Olympic vault gold medalist, 27, wrote alongside two images.
Dressed in a pristine white tracksuit, Biles sat atop a vault, which was flanked by funereal white flowers.
The gymnast’s fans and friends were floored — in a good way — by the silly post.
“I’m dead. You win (obvi),” 2008 Olympic all-around gold medalist Nastia Liukin commented, while USA Gymnastics offered its own eulogy: “Gone, but literally never forgotten.”
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The move is known as the “world’s most difficult vault” and features a round-off entry and a back handspring onto the apparatus followed by two flips. It was officially renamed for Biles after she successfully landed it last fall at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Belgium.
The Biles II led Biles to three golds at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the team, all-around and vault finals.
Biles, who has been sporting a boot of late after injuring her calf mid-Paris Olympics, is preparing for the Gold Over America tour, which kicks off on Sept. 16.
Billed as a “pop concert-style spectacle,” the icon is headlining the event that will showcase her G.O.A.T. tendencies, as well as the high-flying talent of other Team USA gymnasts, including Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, Hezly Rivera, Fred Richard, Paul Juda and Brody Malone.
The athlete will kick off the tour just as the NFL season begins for her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens, meaning the two will be spending more time apart.
Days before the Bears face off against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8, Biles shared an Instagram Stories tribute to the NFL star, writing, "see you in a few weeks 🤍🤧."
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