Simone Biles, widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time, found herself in a humorous moment during rehearsals for the Gold Over America Tour (GOAT tour). Alongside her fellow elite gymnasts, Biles took a break from performing on stage to participate in the viral ‘Gymnast Grip Test.’ What began as a lighthearted challenge quickly turned into a social media sensation.
The challenge involved using a Dynamometer Hand Grip Measurement Meter, which had already gone viral during the Paris Olympics, with athletes like Félix Dolci, CJ Nickolas, and Kristina Teachout trying it out. The test revealed the differences in grip strength among various athletes, showing just how diverse their abilities are, no matter their sport.
laughter.
The grip test was first introduced to the gymnastics crew by Ian Gunther, an NCAA champion and content creator. Gunther, who’s part of the Gold Over America Tour with Biles and other gymnastics stars, initiated the “Gymnast Grip Strength Challenge 💪.” Fans quickly embraced the challenge, enjoying the friendly competition, but it was the humorous reactions afterward that truly made it memorable.
In a surprising twist, Biles herself scored 60 lbs on the grip test. Her immediate reaction was, “Oh, that’s so weak!” showing even the greatest athletes have off moments. Paul Juda, another gymnast, managed to score an impressive 100 lbs and couldn’t resist teasing Biles, joking, “40 more than the GOAT,” which left everyone laughing.
Simone later joined the fun in the comments, admitting, “I’m embarrassed hahahahaahahaha,” but offered a humorous defense: “To be fair, that’s more than half my body weight, soooooooo I’ll take it!” Her lighthearted response only added to the fun.
Biles wasn’t the only one tested. Olympian Jade Carey posted a score of 59 lbs, just under Biles’ result, while Joscelyn Roberson surprised everyone with an impressive 74 lbs, proving her strength. Among the men, Ian Gunther showed why he’s a four-time NCAA champion with a score of 129 lbs, but Brody Malone stole the show, hitting an incredible 159 lbs.
While the guys dominated the grip test, Paul Juda still gave credit where it was due, acknowledging that Simone Biles’ strength truly shines on the competition floor, where it counts the most.
Reflecting on his own vault challenges, Juda shared why he considers Biles the undisputed queen of gymnastics. At the US Olympic Trials for Paris 2024, Juda opted not to perform one of the most difficult vaults, the Yurchenko Double Pike, also known as the Biles II. He explained that the vault is intimidating, saying, “It really is a bit scary.” Juda chose a simpler vault, trusting in his clean and consistent execution to perform well during the trials.
Juda also revealed he had spoken to Biles about the Yurchenko Double Pike, with both acknowledging its difficulty. He admitted to stopping his training on the vault after the World Championships to avoid injury, recognizing how demanding it is on the body, particularly the elbows.
In a separate conversation, Juda explained why he considered Biles the GOAT even before her 2024 Olympic journey. Highlighting the difficulty of the Yurchenko Double Pike, he pointed out that very few male gymnasts attempt it, and no female gymnast had ever done it until Simone. Her incredible skill set continues to inspire awe among her peers.
Now, as the gymnasts prepare for their tour and enjoy their rehearsals, it’s clear that they’re having just as much fun off the floor as they do during performances. The playful banter between Biles and her teammates during the grip test is just one example of the camaraderie that defines the Gold Over America tour, where friendship and fun shine just as brightly as their world-class talent.
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