In 2022, Rebeca Andrade, the Brazilian gymnastics sensation, grabbed attention at the World Gymnastics Championships in Liverpool. Defying expectations and challenging American supremacy, Andrade, in the all-around finals, won the gold medal ahead of Shilese Jones with a score of 56.899. Doing so, she became the first South American gymnast to win a World all-around title. This year, at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, gymnasts from around the world descended to make history.

Team USA led the night with sheer will and dominance and landed a score of 167.729. However, all eyes were also on the first runners-up, who managed to keep Team USA on their toes throughout the team finals at the World Championships, earning a score of 165.530. And that was Team Brazil, who just made history for their country with Rebeca Andrade Contending Against American Supremacy.

Rebeca Andrade and Team Brazil make history

A post by Inside Gymnastics on X read, “Put it in the history books! Brazil’s first team medal EVER at a World Championships! ”  The standings after the third rotation had Team USA in the lead with 125.831 points, followed closely by China with 124.063, and France with 122.998.

Brazil, despite their remarkable performance, was initially trailing in fourth place with a score of 122.864, but fate had something extraordinary in store.  In a stunning turn of events during the third rotation, the gymnasts from Brazil showcased incredible performances on the vault.

How Brazil changed their fate

Jade Barbosa opened the rotation with a Strong Yurchenko double full. And she earned a score of 13.933. Following her, Flavia Saraiva executed a Yurchenko double full. Despite some form issues in the air and a lunge back. She managed a hit and scored 13.833. Then came the truly breathtaking moment when Andrade took to the vault.

She performed a Cheng brilliantly, stunning the audience and the judges alike. Her impeccable execution resulted in an impressive score of 14.900. This performance not only surged Brazil ahead but also guaranteed them a well-deserved medal. Led by the incomparable Simone Biles, the US women clinched a record seventh consecutive team title at the gymnastics world championships.

Read more: Despite Facing a Major Setback, Simone Biles Takes Stars and Stripes to a Gold Medal Winning Victory at World Artistic Gymnastics Championship 2023

Biles, along with her teammates Shilese Jones, Skye Blakely, and Leanne Wong, combined for a total of 167.729 points, narrowly edging out Brazil and France. And Brazil, with their historic silver medal win, achieved a significant milestone for their country, marking a first in their gymnastics history.

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